Although injuries have hurt the Wizards specially in the playoffs, this is going to be the fourth...

Although injuries have hurt the Wizards specially in the playoffs, this is going to be the fourth season of Arenas, Jamison and Butler playing together in Washington. Do you feel any pressure on the Big Three about going deep into the playoffs?

AJ: Not pressure, but a challenge. We know that if we win, we get the credit but if we lose, if we don't go deep into the playoffs, the blame is on us. No problem with that. It's part of the business, we'll share the responsability... We don't make excuses, but it's clear that we've had some injuries during the last couple of playoffs and we are frustrated. We have a chip on our shoulders and it's time for us to go deep. The Lakers had lost in the first round in the 2006-07 season and last year they went straight to the Finals. You have to seize the moment during a long season with 82 games and then perform in the playoffs. If we stay healthy, we'll be OK.

Comments

Antawn Jamison truly is a class act.

by hibachi on Aug 13, 2008 12:40 AM EDT reply actions

Yikes

The part that jumped out at me was when he said there were no other offers out there before he re-signed. That contradicts what Ivan Carter reported at the time. I remember him saying Philly offered him 11 million per season.

Maybe we didn’t need to sign him so quickly…

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

by Mike Prada on Aug 13, 2008 2:27 AM EDT reply actions

How can that be?

Antawn Jamison signed a contract extension. He was still under contract to the Wizards. That means he was never a Free Agent.

If he had received offers from other teams, that would be tampering.

So…..........

The thoughts that jumps out at me are:
1. Jamison didn’t receive any tampering calls from other teams – but expected them? Does that say anything about the integrity of the League?
2. Ivan’s sources were wrong (heaven forbid) about the Philly offer – or Jamison’s memory is foggy (he’s getting old, afterall)..
3. We need to get the League involved in this Philly tampering thing, see if we can steal, uh….. make them forefeit one of their draft choices

by Rook6980 on Aug 13, 2008 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions

That makes sense

My guess is Jamison’s agent heard of the Sixers’ offer, but Jamison himself didn’t.

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

by Mike Prada on Aug 13, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Heard?

Even if the Sixers contact his agent, it’s considered tampering. If they contact his sister, his brother-in-law, his friend or anyone else associated with Jamison with the intent to make an offer, or show any interest in him joining their team, it’s tampering.

The rules are very specific – but not very well enforced, I guess.

by Rook6980 on Aug 15, 2008 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Ahhh....the classic....

We’ll get credit if we win, blamed if we lose statement.

I got love for ya AJ, but really?

I think it’s safe to say that pretty much every other working man in the world is in the same situation…...it’s part of business in general.

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

by Kyle Weidie on Aug 13, 2008 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Well, he does say he's okay with that

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

by Mike Prada on Aug 13, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, I figured as much....

Was just busting balls.

As Eddie Jordan liked to say during the season, “No one is coming to save us.”

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

by Kyle Weidie on Aug 13, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess he was referring to blaming (or not blaming) injuries.

I’ve been impressed how hard the Wiz have played and not folded despite crippling injuries the last two playoffs.

by MR on Aug 13, 2008 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah! Wait....what?

“The Lakers had lost in the first round in the 2006-07 season and last year they went straight to the Finals. You have to seize the moment during a long season with 82 games and then perform in the playoffs.”

Hey, if we trade for Ron Artest in the middle of the season without losing a significant piece, then maybe that analogy won’t make my head explode.

by Pryme on Aug 13, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions