Open thread: Regular season game 30 vs. New Orleans Hornets, aka Mike James' revenge
by Mike Prada on Dec 30, 2008 7:04 PM EST
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PrintWashington Wizards at New Orleans Hornets, Dec 30, 2008 8:00 PM EST
Like Jake wrote, last night's win was definitely out of the pages of the DeShawn Stevenson game in New Orleans last year. We were undermanned, but fought hard and caught a good team on an off night. Last night should also be a lesson in not being upset by playing good teams close. We saw all the problems of past close games, and yet this time, DeShawn's shot goes in, Yao's good look falls short and we come away with the win. The key is making the game close in the first place, which is what we've been doing all season. Sooner or later, you'll catch the breaks you need to win those contests.
Speaking of New Orleans, here we are playing them again. There's a lot of negative thoughts coming out of New Orleans even though they're basically winning at the exact same pace as they did last year. This hasn't been as easy a road as it was then. Peja Stojakovic has been hurt, Tyson Chandler has been inconsistent as hell, Morris Peterson and Julian Wright are in out of Byron Scott's doghouse Palace of Good Play and even David West looks worse than last year. They've gotten a lift from James Posey and Rasual Butler, but really, the difference has been that Chris Paul has lifted his game to another level, even if it doesn't always look like it. KD has it right, the crazy thing about Paul is that he's so good and yet always seems like he could be doing more. Personally, my feeling is that Paul and LeBron are on a plain well above everyone else in the league. Paul's that good. And he's been the stabilizing factor on a team that isn't going on the same joyride it did last year.
Then again, we have Paul's secret kryptonite, Dominic McGuire. Remember last year's game? From the BF recap:
It's hard to look at Chris Paul's 10-14, 22 point, 8 assist line and say "Wow, Taser did a great job shutting him down," but that was the case. D-Mac's third-quarter appearance resulted in the Wizards cutting into the Hornets' lead by six points, and while Paul had a couple nice moments, he was mostly neutralized on pick and rolls. The defense leveled off a bit when Taser went out, but the Wizards were still in the game thanks to Stevenson's offensive explosion when Taser checked back in at the 5:22 mark of the fourth quarter. From that point on, Paul attempted just one shot, had 0 assists, and one turnover, at a time when he has consistently closed out games for the Hornets this year. Why? The Hornets kept running the same screen and roll, the Wizards kept switching McGuire on Paul, and McGuire cut off Paul so effectively that Paul was forced to give the ball up, and he rarely got it back.
A lot has changed since then. Taser is a starter now, not a 12th man. But it'll be interesting to see if Ed Tapscott uses McGuire like EJ did. I remember EJ switching up his looks on Paul, sometimes using Taser to guard him man-to-man and sometimes zoning it up so Taser could plug on any s/r. With a lot of other Hornets struggling, that might be the key to the game.
Anyway, more links for your pleasure:
- John Reid of the New Orleans Times Picayune profiles Antonio Daniels, our returning hero.
- Hornets 24/7 don't give us no respect! Then again, at 6-23, how much respect do we really deserve from opposing team bloggers?
- Pacers Insider tells the story of how Chris Paul got pissed off by a bunch of hecklers in New Orleans' win last night and stepped up his game. But of course, had they not heckled him, Chris Paul would not have tried to win the game. (via Wizards Insider).
- So remember how I wanted the Wizards to sign Bonzi Wells this offseason (only for the vets minimum, okay)? Apparently, he's playing for 80k a year in China, and he's allowed to shoot literally every time down the court. He's scoring around 50 points a game, prompting one paper to refer to him as "his majesty." I'm speechless.
We'll see about Caron Butler playing. Either way, GO WIZARDS!
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FYI
Game’s on UPN (channel 23 for me)
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Anyone know what channel the game is on..
on Baltimore’s Comcast channels? Can’t seem to find it.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Not that it's a huge deal
But how did Butler hurt his ankle? Did he step on someone’s foot, or what?
Chris Paul looks like he's really come to play tonight
does not bode well for the Wizards
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
too bad
cuz last night the rockets were def not ready to go at the start of the game
by the white prez on Dec 30, 2008 8:20 PM EST up reply actions
Crittendon says "Hey Ref"
Arenas says he memorized all the ref’s names to get on their good side, you know back when Gilbert played basketball
Javaris Crittenton and JaVale McGee in the game?
Who are these fxxxxcking guys?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Hilton Armstrong and Sean Marks?
New Orleans needs another big. Darius Songaila?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
didnt byron scott say something this offseason about another team he’d like to coach? maybe the lakers
Yeah those guys are complete jerks, they have been mocking and laughing at us the whole time, esp. Jamison and Mcguire
Maybe they don't know the difference
between Stevenson and Dixon – Stevenson I could understand…. but Dixon a “Hornet killer” ???
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
stevenson couldn't even kill a paralyzed spider
by the white prez on Dec 30, 2008 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
He did kill the Hornets last year
So glad I’m back home and get Buck and Phil instead of the LP broadcasters.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Yeah - maybe this year
but last year, he had his career high, and the game winning 3-pointer.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Buck, that was a blocking foul on Darius
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
They all have been recently
Charlotte, Cleveland, Houston, etc.
I think it’s a good thing.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Ron Artest?
He with the 49% TS% and 14.8 PER? Really?
Bad crop of free agents I suppose.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
“Etan Thomas did what we did. He Watched it. He was supposed to be defending it. Can’t be a witness when you’re wearing a jersey.”
Hornets guys analyzing Chris Paul driving for layup
McGuire is just a great rebounder
Every time, boxes out, uses two hands, and gets the ball at it’s apex.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Ugh
Why hasn’t Taser caught on. Jake, we need a new campaign.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
From the limited minutes I've seen - I like Javaris Crittenton's defense
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Are you serious?
DeShawn can barely hit 30 percent of his threes, but he can hit 100% of his 54-footers.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Maybe he needs to shoot from Half-Court more often
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Buck missed the obvious pun on "even Steven"
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
So, check out Japers Rink for your Caps coverage
</company line>
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
grrrrr
I’m in charlottesville, VA, and as far as I can tell, there’s no wizards on TV tonight. Color me pissed,
Hey, we're winning
Not sure how long this will hold, but I’ll take it on the second half of a back to back.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
I meant tied.
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 30, 2008 9:24 PM EST up reply actions
Andohbytheway
Truth is at the game in New Orleans tonight. He’s live-Twittering the game if anyone’s interested.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
nick young & dominic McG
hangin with AD pre game and wow Blatche has a career high in dunks already this year
Dang the T-wolves are beating the Mavs by 53-32 with 3 mins to go in the 2nd quarter. Nowitskis back from suspension, Wolves are 6-24 and Mavs are 18-12 this yr
Everyone in Texas is half-asleep
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 30, 2008 9:28 PM EST up reply actions
What in God's name was that shot from Mike James?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
New Orleans' offense is so boring
My god, there’s no movement anywhere.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Those sure look like pitty-pat touch fouls they're calling on Dom
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Searching for streams
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 30, 2008 9:34 PM EST up reply actions
Pretty much
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 30, 2008 9:37 PM EST up reply actions
good luck...
I havent found a thing.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 30, 2008 9:36 PM EST up reply actions
http://atdhe.net/
has the live stream now.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 30, 2008 9:43 PM EST up reply actions
I was at that game
The crowd literally didn’t know how to react for a second. It was crazy.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Mike James is playing like crap tonight
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Probably because he's gunning for revenge
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 30, 2008 9:39 PM EST up reply actions
Is Blatche's conditioning still an issue?
He’s been playing a lot and seems to hustle more. And I’m glad.
He's also rebounding more
Which was my big gripe about his season to date.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
and he looks like he's into it
relishing the competition of games. not something i thought i’d ever see
by little stevie colter on Dec 30, 2008 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
Eep
It looked more natural than Brendan’s hooks, but not by much.
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 30, 2008 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
They're interviewing him on the Hornets broadcast
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 30, 2008 9:47 PM EST up reply actions
Remember to click reply
Also, you might as well eschew the title in your comments if they’re going to be so long. Just a suggestion.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Yeah man, no worries
Just a suggestion. The reply is required though.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Required in the “I will call you out when you don’t do it” sense.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Hah
The Stevenson yell works again.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
4 on Chandler
Every foul helps.
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 30, 2008 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
I'm cool with it.
We’ve been playing well since Christmas.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
I was going to write a post about our improving defense
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I think that's how many they were down last year after three
Thanks to that bomb from Jannero Pargo.
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 30, 2008 9:51 PM EST up reply actions
And the one was DeShawn's halfcourt shot
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
CP3 is on the bench
Now would be a good time to make a run.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
SHHHH!
They don’t know 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 30, 2008 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
Nice look
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
DeShawn totally forgot to box out Peja on that play
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Etan's hands kinda suck...
Unless he’s flailing wildly.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Why did we double team James Posey?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
3 guards?
Dixon, James, and Stevenson all playing right now. Alongside Etan and Songaila.
I know what to focus on in my recap once we lose!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
DeShawn on Posey in the post?
Sweet Jesus. Where is DMac. Or anyone else.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Posey turnover
That’s one of the little things that will show up in the box score.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Dixon turnover
See above.
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 30, 2008 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
Etan bites on pump fake.
See above.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Etan dunks!
That’ll show up.
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 30, 2008 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
Shreveport native Jamison?
I thought he was from Charlotte.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
I think it's a little of both
If that makes any sense.
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 30, 2008 10:01 PM EST up reply actions
No.
But, OK.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Aw come on, we have five guys they have five guys, how were we a man down there?
by morethesamewiz on Dec 30, 2008 10:03 PM EST reply actions
Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
Fouls.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Yeah " Wizards show no indication that they want to win back to back games against Western Conference powerhouses. Last night against Houston was enough for them"
by morethesamewiz on Dec 30, 2008 10:05 PM EST reply actions
Yeah they are.
They’re worse homers than Buck.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Extremely lucky
But I’ll take it.
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 30, 2008 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
He does not seem to be playing well.
He’s got revenge on his mind, maybe?
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
WTF
Why did Blatche and McGuire go out? Come on Ed.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Sogaila and Stevenson
in to pull out the victory in the last 3:56
Leave him alone
Who knows where we’d be without his humility.
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 30, 2008 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
That reminds me
At one point I was thinking of doing a LEAVE GILBERT ALONE video. In hindsight it’s probably a good thing that I didn’t.
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 30, 2008 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
Buck accusing Chris Paul of flopping
Like Paul Pierce, apparently. Right.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Flopped all the way to a triple-double!
Or something 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 30, 2008 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
I can't believe our fourth quarter lineups
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
4th quarter comebacks are hard when you’re the 27th worst 3 pt shooting team in the NBA
by morethesamewiz on Dec 30, 2008 10:21 PM EST reply actions
Rasual Butler
See my sig.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Well Rasual has been playing very well this year
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Just a reminder
Chris Paul = Good at basketball
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
We called a timeout down 12 with 30 seconds. Tapscotts designing a 13pt play for Jamison
by morethesamewiz on Dec 30, 2008 10:24 PM EST reply actions
He got the play from Antoine Walker.
Its a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong jumper.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
tapscott?
only wes unseld jr. could come up with an end of the game play that good.
by hibachi on Dec 30, 2008 10:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If he's our next coach.
I’m gonna end up a Clipper fan.
(I’ll have to dust off my red Odom Jersey.)
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Hold on, let me reconfigure the chant
58-24! 58-24! 58-24!
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