Open Thread: Playoff Game 4
by Jake Whitacre on Apr 26, 2008 11:56 PM EDT
in Game Threads
Email
Print
The Essentials:
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 4 (Cavs up 2-1)
1 p.m. (That's 8 p.m. if you're in Israel.)
ABC
Key Links (drop any others in the comments)
This rivalry just keeps getting weirder and weirder.
Akron is hatin' on DC now.
Arenas will try to make a go of it today.
A nice profile on Haywood.
Today's Lines
Cavaliers at Wizards: Wizards by 4
Over/Under on Total Points: 187
After all of the hijinks and craziness of the first three games, this is where the series takes a turn for the serious. With each team trading beatdowns on each other, everyone's gotten their laughs and whatnot out and it's time to focus on the games, and it's a good time to do it, because like every best of seven, Game 4 is key. If Cleveland wins they're only a game away from clinching, and if Washington evens it up, we've got a whole new series on our hands. The team that can settle down and play their brand of basketball today will get the W and set the tone for the rest of the series.
I'm predicting a fairly even, defensive battle like Game 1, just with the Wizards pulling it out at the end. If the Wizards can keep the focus on doing what they do and not getting caught up in trying to be something they're not, they should win today.
This is an open thread, so debate how bourgeois or un-bourgeois the dunk contest is here.
GO WIZARDS!
118 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Picks
Wizards
Over
I’ve got to work today, so I won’t be around for the comments. Keep the comments on the up and up y’all!
Bullets Forever: Your home for blogging on the dumbest team in the history of civilization.
Mike Wise
also drops a column on the Jay-z /Club Love/Damon Jones smackdown on DeShawn. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/26/AR2008042602240.html
Seriously though, this game (and series) is basically the litmus test. If this version of the Wiz fails, injuries notwithstanding, then I don’t see how we stand pat this offseason.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Apr 27, 2008 1:39 AM EDT reply actions
Game 4
I’ll be there wearing white but I have no idea what will happen. I don’t think anything will surprise me. We gotta play D like Game 3 though.
boycott!
Just want to let everyone know that this 49 year old white guy is joining the boycott of Park and Love. They will never get my business again! I’ll find somewhere else to do my clubbing.
hilarious
i’m on board with the boycott too.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Apr 27, 2008 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Ha!
Not only will I join the boycott, I’ll one-up it and make it a lifetime ban. Not only won’t I go to Park or Love in the future, but I’ll use my nerd powers over the time-space continuum to boycott them in the past as well.
There. Done. How do you like that, Park and Love? I spent all my money in brew pubs and sports bars instead.
"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."
by Vanilla Gorilla on Apr 27, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
DC - Over
Good lord…...I’ll save my comments on the goings ons in the Wizards community for the game blog.
Damn
Just got back from Israel, and I can’t believe the all-white I’m seeing. Is this really the same DC atmosphere that has been criticized all season.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Who knows....
Welcome back…...I guess DC only comes out in the second season when it’s fashionable to do so.
Boo
I don’t like that they’re calling that foul on DeShawn. That means they’re calling this one tight.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Anyone here?
Or everyone at the game right now?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Hah
Varejao sucks. Jamison rocks.
Butler needs to post up more, methinks.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Boo
Bad call. Brown wasn’t even controlling the ball.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Have we ever seen this lineup before
Gilbert, AD, and Mason in at the same time. I imagine that will stop as soon as LeBron comes back into the game.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Achilles heels
Rebounding: To be expected.
Turnovers: Not to be expected.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Huh
I mean, Ben fouled him, but LeBron fouled him first.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
i can’t believe that lebron cried about that and convinced the refs to call that foul on wallace. BS
Two straight LeBron forays into the paint
Gotta keep plugging the lane.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Transition D needs to improve
And Caron has to stop shooting 20-footers.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Awful rebounding
This was the major concern coming into the series. It’s finally showing.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
WTF
Mike Brown cannot do that. He can’t just run all the way out of the coaching box.
Brendan’s right. Calm down, please.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
What the hell is LeBron doing?
And please, Caron barely touched him.
It’s a good thing the TV timeout is happening now. We’re losing our composure.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
this is pathetic.
prada’s right. no composure; our heads aren’t in the game. we just need to settle down and play the damn game.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Apr 27, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions
GET ARENAS OUT
4 turnovers (five really, if you include the pass to Daniels) and no points, Arenas is -11 and Mason +10.
Nice possession out of the TO
Except the passing really isn’t crisp at all.
It’s almost getting to the point where Arenas shouldn’t play as much. He’s clearly out of rhythm.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Unbelievable
The offense just doesn’t exist right now.
Get Haywood and Mason back in the game.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
that was fun.
this half is the season right here. We arent winning 2 in cleveland. Put up or shut up time. Thing is, we can totally take this team but unless we want it more than them it’s just not happening. I’d like to see Butler put the team on his back. (I’d even say Arenas but he is godawful today). We need our own hombre to match Lebron – and let’s face it: he may be a whiner but right now he wants this game more than anybody else out there, and that’s the difference.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Apr 27, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions
Grunfeld must be going bonkers
Jordan insists on going small and slow (Arenas). Seven minutes for Blatche. If Wiz don’t win, this is the end for EJ.
Im inclined to believe you.
Not that I care all that much. It may be time for new leadership. Jordan did a great job but I’m not sure he’s the man to get them over the hump. We’ll see though – one more half to play.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Apr 27, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Meh
I don’t think Eddie’s coaching is the reason we’re down 10. It comes down to rebounding and turnovers, neither of which have changed with different guys on the floor.
His only mistake is playing Arenas too much.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Those two layups
The ABC crew (mostly Tirico and Salters) are pointing to Stevenson’s flagrant as the turning point, but really, it was those two breakdowns in the transition defense.
I’d like to see Eddie ditch Gilbert and go mostly with an AD-Mason backcourt. We should also get Haywood involved more.
In the end, though, I think this half will tell it all about Caron Butler’s career. Is he simply a good second banana, or is he really a borderline franchise guy? He needs to be spectacular for us to win.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Bad start
Forced shot by Caron, open shot for Z
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Gilbert has to sit
Ironic that he just hit a three, but he’s killing us on offense and on defense. I blame Eddie Jordan here. If he can’t stand up to his star and do what’s best for the team, he needs to go.
Is it really Gilbert's fault though
That nobody can grab a rebound?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Gilbert's poor defense...
is pulling everyone out of position. I think he has a lot to do with the rebounding problem. That being said, my problem is not with Gilbert. He’s a gamer. It’s with Eddie for not putting our best team on the floor.
Not sure I totally agree
When LeBron hit that open three, there were three Wizards in the paint, yet Ben Wallace tapped the rebound out for another shot.
It’s also not like LeBron is penetrating. He’s mostly shot jumpers today.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I actually like how Gilbert's playing
He hasn’t forced anything this half. Two nice passes, one to Jamison, one to Haywood.
It’s the other guys who aren’t doing much right now. Again, where is Butler?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Decent start to the quarter
The fourth on Z is big, because it brings Joe Smith in, and he’s not as good a rebounder.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Here it is!
Five straight great possessions.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
This is the best defense I've seen in five years
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Four straight rebounds for Cleveland
That’s ridiculous.
15 offensive boards for Cleveland. Can we keep Haywood in the game?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
This is absolutely awful
The only way Cleveland can score is through an offensive rebound. We can’t let them do that.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Oh Darius...
Why is he so slow and trying to block a much bigger man than him? Ugh.
"My only regret is that I have boneitis." - That Guy on Futurama
Fourth quarter
We will not win this game if they keep getting this many offensive rebounds. If I see a small lineup ONCE in the fourth quarter I might break my TV.
Washington Wizards Playoffs 2008: "We're Bushing it."
by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Apr 27, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions
That was a tough 5-0 run
Especially given how close Antoine’s baby hook was to going in. Question for all of us would-be coaches: What lineup should EJ start the 4th with?
I'd go tall and athletic
This isn’t going to happen, but a lineup of BTH, AB, AJ, CB and AD would be interesting.
"My only regret is that I have boneitis." - That Guy on Futurama
I would switch depending on the personnel the Cavs showed.
"My only regret is that I have boneitis." - That Guy on Futurama
Sit Jamison to start
Go with Brendan and Andray, then bring Jamison in for Andray.
Otherwise, go with the starters.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
How can you not get that rebounding
And how can that not be a travel on LeBron.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
you can't play a different game in the playoffs
Go with what got you here
Well sure
But Blatche hasn’t exactly been a consistent member of the rotation this year anyway.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Good take by Caron
Need more of that.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Big shots by Delonte
Not sure what more you can do there. That was a pretty good close-out by Antawn.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
daniels has played great all yr…but we need someone to stretch the D out right now and get some easier shots….hes not a threat beyond the ft line
:X
Who is that? Gil’s looking really shaky. And Nick Young’s TOs aren’t what we need :x
"My only regret is that I have boneitis." - That Guy on Futurama
We need to keep taking it to the rim to stop the clock...
and the foul.
"My only regret is that I have boneitis." - That Guy on Futurama
What a move!
Caron is stepping up big time right now.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Deshawn...
NEEDS to stop jacking up so many threes. Take it to the basket PLEASE.
Washington Wizards Playoffs 2008: "We're Bushing it."
by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Apr 27, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions
I Concur
Is it me, or has Haywood been the only one to earn his paycheck every game
Butler needs to touch the ball every trip down the floor
LBJ can’t guard him, period, let alone with five fouls.
Now we should hack-a-ben!
If foul him gently away from the ball, it’s not a flagrant, right?
WOW!!!!
Oh man! What an unbelievable shot!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
NO!
That evoked memories of Damon Jones.
Same. Exact. Spot.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Except Delonte has earned this
He’s been hot all night. Damon came off the bench and made a vulture 3. Nevertheless, Dammn you Delonte.
That's it
Commence anger.
I’m taking a break.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Gilbert has heart...
... but it breaks my heart that Butler didn’t get to take the shot.
Why...
do all players feel like they need to double clutch game ending shots. If you get the foul you get the foul, just shoot in your natural rhythm. Dang.
"My only regret is that I have boneitis." - That Guy on Futurama
first and foremost….eddie jordan is a sucker…..the same exact scenario played itself out 2 yrs ago…..and you let it happen again, nobody shouldve had to cheat off their man seeing as tho the cavs killed us w/ 3s the entire 4th qrtr….you are a disgrace….and the sooner you are gone, the sooner the wizards make it past the first rd
play lebron straight up….if he makes it then we have to go for 2 to tie and not 3…..he took advantage of us cheating the entire 4th qrtr and west/gibson tore us apart
If you're looking for blame placement
Look no further than the players who weren’t tough enough to secure defensive rebounds.
What about those horrible rotations he had in there
IE having Songalia @ center….ive resigned to the fact that the wizards will never be more than a 5 seed as long as he is our coach….i have to give him credit for making us somewhat relevant again but we need someone to get us over the hump now
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
- The Facebook campaign to hire Will Ferrell for All-Star Game player intros is underway
- Video: Meet the infamous bearded guy that goes nuts by the 76ers’ bench
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
