Open thread: Regular season game 19 vs. Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards, Dec 9, 2008 7:00 PM EST
Those annoying DEEEEET-roit Pistons come to town tonight struggling since the Allen Iverson trade. Apparently, Michael Curry is shaking up the starting lineup, going small with Rodney Stuckey taking He Who Shall Not Be Named's spot. That means Detroit will go with three guards, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace.
Basically, get ready for Darius Songaila at center and JaVale McGee riding the pine. Matchups!
Game's at 7. I have a long meeting at 6:30, so I'll probably catch it on delay.
GO WIZARDS!
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going small
implies quickness i think. so for the love of mugsey bogues, don’t use this as an excuse to keep mcgee on the bench in favor of darious, mr. tapscott.
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 5:41 PM EST reply actions
At one point against the Bulls....
Aaron Gray had 9 boards and McGee had 0. Gray played 22 minutes, McGee played 11.
Of course, Gray only got 4 while JaVale was in the game, and all of them were defensive.
But the point is, that yes, I do want to see McGee get more minutes, especially because of his ability to change shots, much less block them.
However, I need to see more boards out of him than that.
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Early X-Mas Wish
I want to be excited about watching the Wizards again.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
Indeed
I mean, it’s not like they can do anything about it, but that should make things interesting tonight.
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 9, 2008 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
Shhh....don't tell anyone, but
I have a good feeling about this game…..about 30% optimism, glass ’bout a third full.
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Not feelin' the small ball movement in the Motor City?
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 9, 2008 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
Poor JaVale
This is almost painful to watch.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
Agreed
I’m starting to think Andray should start. JaVale just doesn’t look comfortable out there.
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by Jake Whitacre on Dec 9, 2008 7:16 PM EST up reply actions
Rook goin to school
Wallace is schooling the Rookie
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Wallace is a tough matchup for any center
Hopefully the Wizards play the matchups and get McGee back in later.
Here I'm okay with it
But I’d like to see him get back in before the end of the half.
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 9, 2008 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
COME ON ANDRE
That was a GOOD pass by Dee Brown – Andre short armed it…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Yea, why wasn't he cutting harder to the basket?
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
That should work both ways
If Hamilton is going to run him ragged, Butler needs to do work down low and wear him out physically.
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 9, 2008 7:29 PM EST up reply actions
Gee - a wide open 3 point shot
Like we’ve never seen THAT before.
Rip could have stopped, tied his shoe, and then shot…. he had that much time..
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Okay it's time
For someone to start heydeshawnstevensonpleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com
Open threes, WIDE open twos, layups. Nothing else. Don’t EVER shoot off the dribble. Thanks.
Yeah I know what my moniker is.
Getting buckets since 2003.
You got dips on it.....go ahead and do it.
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Not until
NO – we can’t dismiss the “size myth” – UNTIL a team goes small, and we go BIG and it doesn’t work…
We are trying to MATCH up – when the Coach should be trying to create mis-MATCHES…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Sounds great, but
I’m still not convinced that would work. This team is not doing the little things, no matter what the match-ups are.
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Don't judge me
But if we play a second quarter that looks anything like the first, I’m turning off the TV and finding something better to do.
Getting buckets since 2003.
Oh believe me, we won't
Surely you know the pattern by now. We’ll be tied at halftime somehow and end up losing by six.
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 9, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions
Deshawn...
can’t shoot, can’t drive, can’t shoot FT, can’t defend, can’t pass, can’t be taken off the starting lineup.
Definitely needs to be demoted
In a perfect world Deshawn never plays another minute. Got Arenas/Crittenton/Young hopefully in the near future eating up most of the minutes in the backcourt.
I'm no commie, but the Reds shall be the best again!
How do we get Crittenton again?
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 7:51 PM EST up reply actions
I'm on board with this motion.
icantfeelmyface, sorry but you may have to change your handle
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I never liked it anyway.
But then I have to make a new account I believe – right? If I knew how to change it but keep my account it would have been done some time ago (not hating on DS; sometimes change is good).
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 8:01 PM EST up reply actions
Probably
I think he still has value as a player in the NBA, but he’s just not getting it done right now. I think that nerve injury with his hamstring is probably affecting him more than he’s letting on, but no player is going to give him sympathy points for playing through pain.
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 9, 2008 7:47 PM EST up reply actions
Blatche
Why can’t one of the Wizards assistant coaches CONSISTENTLY stay in his ear about fouls. Seems like Andray is ready to turn the corner but fouls are really holding him back of late.
I'm no commie, but the Reds shall be the best again!
Wild speculation
If the Crittenton rumors are true, this might be Juan Dixon’s last appearance as a Wizard. Savor it.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
have not heard these rumors -
what’s the gist?
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
You can read more about it
Here.
Basically the rumor is Memphis wants the pick that we got from the JC Navarro trade for Crittenton. The thing is we’re at the roster limit and right up against the cap so that means the Wizards would have to find a way to dump a player either by trading him for a trade exemption or by releasing one or both of our two players with non-guaranteed contracts (Dixon and/or Brown).
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 9, 2008 7:55 PM EST up reply actions
Except
Except that both Brown and Dixon have “partially guaranteed” contracts….
Not sure how much is guaranteed….. But it’s probably not enough, even if they release both
to stay under the Lux Tax.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Yeah
I probably should’ve clarified that it’s unlikely that releasing them would work, but since I don’t know the exact numbers I’m willing to leave it open.
More likely, the Wizards are going to trade someone (I’m guessing probably Pech or Dixon, but it might have to be Brown if no one bites on those two*) for that trade exemption.
- - That’s total speculation.
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 9, 2008 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
thanks
why the hell not? the navarro pick is not a great one, even best case scenario, right? worth taking a chance on a pg with at least more potential than what we have
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 7:57 PM EST up reply actions
Good point
Would love to never see him take it to the hole and watch his shot get rejected off of him out of bounds.
I'm no commie, but the Reds shall be the best again!
but
If the shot got rejected, but hit him out of bounds – wouldn’t that result in the Wizards retaining the ball?
A player out of bounds – is OUT OF BOUNDS – meaning if the ball hits that player , the ball is out of bounds…
Have I missed something? Or did the Ref’s miss something?
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CRITTENTON
I guess we should remember that it’s probably contingent on us making another move. Cross your fingers for something good…..and desperate.
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Correct
Hermann is from Argentina. I know this from using the international teams on NBA Live 2008.
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 9, 2008 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
Ah my apologies
Thought I had read he was from Europe. I was, however, making a reference to this particular game
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 7:57 PM EST up reply actions
Well, there are many of German descent living in Argentina....
So looks can be deceiving.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
I believe
You probably saw him here.
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 9, 2008 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
Oh
That’s it!
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 7:57 PM EST up reply actions
I may start drinking the team out of this rut.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
I been drinking all night...
The Wizards are playing better and better…
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O god
The consecutive starts stat is killing me/ When it’s guys like Prince and Bowen holding the record it’s fine, but to see Deshawn up there is pathetic
by Fundefined on Dec 9, 2008 8:01 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Ah crap
If you’ve read FreeDarko’s book than you know that Sheed getting a T isn’t a good thing.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Everything's going to the Plan
JaketheSnake wrote:
Surely you know the pattern by now. We’ll be tied at halftime somehow and end up losing by six.
They rope me in everytime.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
Down by 3
Close enough.
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 9, 2008 8:09 PM EST up reply actions
Nice comeback
Another Piston implosion – suppose they miss Billups?
I'm no commie, but the Reds shall be the best again!
Jake the precongnzant-arian
or something like that…..
(I told you I been drinkin’)
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Re: Rasheed and techs
If you haven’t read the book, this will help explain why Sheed getting a tech scares me.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
It doesn't look good
This is really starting to minic the script of the first time they played.
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 9, 2008 8:32 PM EST up reply actions
I think you're on to something
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 9, 2008 8:34 PM EST up reply actions
Good stretch for Songaila
Made some shots, didn’t get killed on the boards. Works for me.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
I think Detroit is learning a lesson we've been taught many times
Smallball giveth and smallball taketh away.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Thank you Blatche for not hanging on the rim after that dunk
like another Center might. Classy.
missed it - is that dark sarcasm?
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 8:45 PM EST up reply actions
supposed to be a shot at Etan.
Blatche was fine.
At first I thought it was a shot at Kwame
But then I remembered he can’t dunk, so that killed that theory.
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 9, 2008 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
remember when deshawn
stunk it up in the playoffs against cleveland 2 years ago? he is truly awful as even a 3rd offensive option, but he does have some things to offer a team. i think he’s in that offensive mindset this year, and it just does not fit his strengths
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 8:48 PM EST up reply actions
Pech
Well, Oleksiy has not been traded yet….. saw him on the bench.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Give Sheed some credit
He knows how to respond to posterization.
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 9, 2008 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
Nice way to start the quarter.
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 9, 2008 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
I think it was
But I didn’t get a great look at her.
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 9, 2008 8:51 PM EST up reply actions
He definitely
Caught and dunked it on the way down
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
That won't get a lot of play
But that shot by Sheed was ridiculous.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
I'm hoping Antawn will keep aggrevating him
Sheed plays better after one tech, but it’s hard to play well after two.
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 9, 2008 8:54 PM EST up reply actions
As long as it's close
He probably won’t pick up another one. But if the Wiz go on a big run, it’s possible. I see where you’re coming from.
another observation
either Detroit isn’t hitting their 3’s, or the Wiz aren’t committing four players to whoever slashes to the basket anymore.
He's done a good job running that pick and roll tonight
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 9, 2008 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
agree in principle
but i’m not ready to say he’s a better shooter
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
He’s doing well tonight, but DeShawn is probably still a better shooter at this point, as bad as that sounds.
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 9, 2008 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
What in the hell is going on?
I saw the first quarter box score and then I check in now…how the hell are the Wiz winning this game? Butler looks like the only one doing anything consistently.
it's everyone
really – darius is good, dixon’s playing well, blatche is contributing a bit. mcguire. kind of a weird game
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
They look like an actual "team"
It’s been awhile.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
it's a cutting edge concept
as is this ‘defense’ they seem to be trying out
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
Good golly Miss Molly!
Juan Dixon is rockin’ a +30!
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
In an 8 point game?!
That has got to be unusual, ehh? Backup PG too…
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
It's very unusual
But it can happen when you go from being down 17 to up by 8.
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 9, 2008 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
SHHHHHHHHH!!!
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 9, 2008 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
songaila
earned his floor time tonight.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 9:17 PM EST up reply actions
Not only has the Wizards bench outscored Detroit's
They’ve outscored the starters. Awesome.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
The Wizards' starters, that is
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 9, 2008 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
any lineup w/o stevenson is ok by me
i respect his effort and all, but have zero faith in his shooting/decision making
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
why do they not have
rasheed in the game? WTF?
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 9:16 PM EST reply actions
SHHHHHHHHH!!!
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 9, 2008 9:17 PM EST up reply actions
SHHHHHHHHH!!!
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 9, 2008 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
I can't understand why he's getting these minutes
when he’s so damn ineffective. Also, whatsup with Javale Mcgee getting only 4 minutes?
actually can't complain about mcgee's minutes tonight
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
Alright...
I didnt get to watch so I was just curious. I thought they were going to run a small lineup where he’d probably be pretty effective getting into the lane and blocking shots.
true
but this was not a game for the bigs
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
He couldn’t guard Sheed so I understand the yank early, but Detroit didn’t use Maxiell, Kwame, or Amir tonight so he really could’ve done some damage with the 2nd unit.
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 9, 2008 9:24 PM EST up reply actions
But
Can’t complain much about a lineup that gets us a win. McGee will get his chances this year (I hope).
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
Ha!
Buck called Gilbert’s pool a “monstrosity.”
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Go crazy folks!
Go crazy!
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Actually they do to some extent
Washington already has been removed from TNT once this year. I can’t remember which game it was.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 9, 2008 11:01 PM EST up reply actions
3 of the 4 wins
are over winning teams. go figure
by little stevie colter on Dec 9, 2008 9:26 PM EST reply actions
Oh BTW
Juan Dixon +33. If he does indeed end up being the player moved in the possible Crittenton deal, that’s a heckuva way to go out.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Wow
Dunk parade in Cleveland tonight.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Solid win
I was at the game tonight, so checking in late:
+ Surprisingly good rhythm, given the early deficit. That kind of thing is going to happen, and we recovered nicely.
+ Second half D, aside from a lapse in the fourth, was solid. The Pistons made shots, but only what they should have. (First half another story.)
+ If we had this Songaila every game there would be no talk of trading him. It was a classic example of brains overcoming ability, and I mean that as a complement.
- Caron has to share more. Yes, he’s the best player on the team, but….
- Despite the result, JaVale’s minutes are inexcusable.
- I don’t know what the numbers were, but I don’t like Juan at the 2. He shot well, and AD had an very solid night, but that doesn’t make that a good backcourt.
Overall, I was very happy with a solid win, but I hope Tap doesn’t assume that small ball works.
Also, please don’t make too much of this, I heard from a reliable source that Eddie Jordan has offers. He’s choosing to relax for a while and “collect his eight million”. My questions were a) what teams and b) assistant or head, but apparently he’s not saying. Take it for what it’s worth, but given the source I believe it. As with many of you I wish him nothing but the best.
Oh yeah
Eddie is going to get another head coaching gig, no question. The one that I’ve heard tossed around the most is Philadelphia if Mo Cheeks gets canned because Eddie has ties with the GM. I think Minnesota might be a nice fit for him too because Kevin Love is the ideal player for the Princeton.
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 9, 2008 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
I should add a few notes
- DeShawn was useless, like him or not
- Whether it helped of not, I thoroughly enjoyed McGuire’s run down the stretch
- To that point, the overall team’s play early in the fourth got the crowd firmly engaged (for the first time), and I believe the swagger in Blatche made a real difference.
- Curry may lose his job over his substitutions tonight. There was a lot of press about small ball, he went through with it, and it was a disaster. For one it’s a bad idea, for two he doesn’t have the crew for it. If he keeps it up…
- McDyess (who I love) has some rust to shake off and AI (who I love to watch) is not in sync with this offense.
I’m really pleased with the win, but I think there’s still a lot to worry about,.
What a stupid plan
They could have gone small ball in stretches, but what kind of plan is it for Jason Maxiell to sit the bench the entire game? Makes no sense.
If they don't want to play Maxiell...
we could surely find room for him.
mmmmm, maxiell...
probably the role player i covet most for the wiz
by five by five on Dec 10, 2008 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, totally agree on Curry
Going small put Rip on Caron, when Prince always (and I mean always) bothers the guy. Caron, predictably, lit Detroit up.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Weird
Someone has a time machine and brought the Wizards of a year ago to the game last night.
Was that us playing hard D?
Was that us passing, cutting and hitting shots?
Was that us not crumbling in the final minutes?
Was that AD and Songila making key contributions?

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