Washington @ Boston GameThread, Jan 2, 2009 7:30 PM EST

Open thread: Regular season game 31 vs. Boston Celtics

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 6:43 PM EST in Game Threads Comment 102 comments

Washington @ Boston

UPDATE: Oh my god, totally out of the blue, Ivan says that DeShawn Stevenson is out for two and a half weeks.

Wiz G DeShawn Stevenson is out with a lower back issue that he said has been bothering him since training camp. Steveonson said an x-ray revealed a disk problem that in turn is causing him problems with his legs.

I'd never wish injury on somebody, but this is going to be a good thing. DeShawn gets healthy and maybe somehow picks things up, while Ed Tapscott won't be tempted to play the guy anymore.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Tonight is a test for motivation. The Celtics are not playing well right now. Since the loss to the Lakers on Christmas day, they somehow lost to Golden State and to a Portland team that replaced Brandon Roy with two players in the lineup (zinger!). They're even desperate enough to sign Stephon Marbury, or so it appears. I guess Jamaal Tinsley isn't dysfunctional enough for them.

So, being the defending champions like they are, you would think that, at home against a lowly team like us, they would be really motivated to absolutely kick our butts, kind of like they did to Sacramento last weekend. And, since they're the Celtics, who always comes to play when motivated, it should be a given that it'll happen.

If they treat us like they did during the game in D.C. last month, then motivation wins. If it stays close, then it loses. Let's show them that motivation is dumb!

(how's that for a motivational speech).

Also, Caron's likely playing. Yippee.

Game's at 7:30. GO WIZARDS!

0 recs | Comment 102 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

So if I'm following you correctly

If they don’t try, we have a shot?

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Jan 2, 2009 7:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm listening to the pregame

And I really don’t like Ron Thompson. He talked about the thread of Stephon Marbury being in a contract year and how that changes things. He made a comparison to Sam Cassell last year, of course ignoring that, ohbytheway, Sam Cassell was also in a contract year because of being bought out. In fact, every single buyout candidate is in a contract year!

Jeez.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So...it's Stevenson's nerve thing

It’s not like you’re wishing injury upon him, but we’re all glad that he finally may be taking time off to get that thing better…..it’s obviously been affecting him.

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

by Truth About It on Jan 2, 2009 7:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I do hope so

Because it’s just so odd to see him completely fall off the map like this at age 27. Defensively too. I think you can legitimately say that DeShawn’s been the worst player in the league thus far this year. You don’t go from being slightly below-average to this bad without something going on.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to preemptively start tomorrow's chant

57-25! 57-25! 57-25!

by sierradave on Jan 2, 2009 7:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I can't wait until we get to February

And our chants are going to be something like “43-39! 43-39! 43-39!”

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Forget February

I can’t wait for April, when it’s going to be like 11-71! 11-71! 11-71!

by sierradave on Jan 2, 2009 7:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to the jungle?

Red would be disappointed.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rondo is going to kill James tonight

I can feel it.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Butler is playing well early

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Goddammit

Come on Dray, be better.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Fuck

Seriously? Fuck.

by sierradave on Jan 2, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Another injury?

this is getting ridiculous. not that it wasnt already

by SidVicious25 on Jan 2, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

damn he looks hurt

i would imagine he misses longer than butler – but at least he put a little weight on it.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 2, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He always looks hurt

At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like you were right.

Buck says he will come back in.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 2, 2009 7:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Selfish!

Mike, you are supposed to pass that to Caron Butler. Didn’t you know?

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What has happened to JaVale McGee?

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Celt's Defense

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 2, 2009 7:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dammit

Motivation is winning!

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 7:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

This team takes advantage of every little mistake.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 2, 2009 7:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

firstly - screw boston and their sports teams

secondly – watching blatche improve was about the only good thing going on right now with this team. i’m crying on the inside.

by little stevie colter on Jan 2, 2009 7:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The good news is

We see how valuable Blatche is. Once he went out, things went haywire.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

At the moment: Paul Pierce > our entire team

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yay, Caron remembered how to shoot free throws!

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

True or false

If Brian Scalabrine were on the Wizards, he would play as many minutes as DeShawn Stevenson.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

F

that’s getting waived off

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 2, 2009 8:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

this might make me a poor sport

but part of me really wants to see etan or darius give an extra hard foul on garnett

by little stevie colter on Jan 2, 2009 8:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thank god

Blatche is back.

Boston’s defense is vicious.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And ours is the exact opposite of vicious...

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oooooh

Buck just asserted that Boston is using artificial crowd noise.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 2, 2009 8:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's always amazing when he gets annoyed about dumb stuff like that

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Though

I actually kinda agreed with him – artificial noise is tacky. But yeah, probably not his place to be complaining about it.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 2, 2009 8:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Scalabrine for 3?

we have entered the twilight zone early folks.

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I mean, the Wizards aren't actually guarding him

But still.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am only on game track...

the live game in warsaw is raptors-rockets… but we will get wiz-cavs Sunday

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right, I forgot you probably didn't have it on TV

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We need to fiiiiniiiiish.

We keep getting people these nice passes right under the basket but no one is finishing…

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Our free throw shooting is miserable.

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Dave Hoopla

Is he in a season long slump like the rest of the team?!?!?

by formula0 on Jan 2, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Come on guys

Don’t leave Eddie House alone.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Darius Songaila blocked a shot?

It must be a new year.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

D'oh

Andray out for the game. Boo.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Monumental Air!

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

About time someone showed signs of life

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and so we reward him with a seat on the bench wtf

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

face palm

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great defense by Mike James

That’s exactly what we paid for.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

traded for

Excuse me.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What is this lineup?

James, Dixon AND Crittenton?

You’ve gotta be kidding me.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is Pech in uniform tonight?

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So much for our improved defense

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

for reals.

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Question:

What’s the feeling about Mike James? I don’t like him much (no real reasons, just a feeling), I wish Dixon played more instead of him playing so much.

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I definitely don't prefer Dixon to James

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah not that i like james. at all.

but i really don’t like dixon – for this team, not personally or anything.
2 lemons – what do you do?

by little stevie colter on Jan 2, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's OK

At least until Gilbert Arenas comes back…..

Then trade his contract at the trading deadline for some defensive or rebounding help.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or an expiring contract

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Juan Dixon is so bad defensively

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

True, but James has been too (tonight at least)

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and thus we have a dilema at guard

that contributes greatly to the crap season.

by little stevie colter on Jan 2, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

At least Mike has, in general, been decent offensively

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Though it probably won't keep up

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The rich pick up Marbury (eventually)... the poor pick up James

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mike, pass the ball

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Stating the obvious

Boston is a really good team. 18 assists in the first half? Damn.

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 8:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

James is just terrible on defense

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 8:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

When, as a player, do you just say this is BS and try to change something?

Horrible effort. Absolutely horrible.

by Wizards on Jan 2, 2009 8:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it's a horrible effort

I think the Boston Celtics have better players….

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I agree

We’re playing hard. Just not smart.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's a bit obvious...

However, you can still win with hustle and extra effort, crashing for rebounds and playing with passion. You call this passion?

by Wizards on Jan 2, 2009 8:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What is passion?

It sounds like it’s simply a synonym for keeping the score closer.

There was that possession where Twan and Darius tapped the rebound around while four Celtics couldn’t grab the defensive board. So, that’s crashing the boards I guess.

It seems they’re mostly just sucking defensively. Maybe that’s where effort comes in…

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure.

I’ll give it to you. Passion = keeping the score closer.

by Wizards on Jan 2, 2009 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Celtics 7-9 3 Pts... Wiz 0-6

None of the stats are good, but that is outrageous

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So - why does Tapscott hate Nick Young?

He came in, immediately brought some energy. Hit 2 of 3 shots. Played good positional defense = and certainly wasn’t embarrassed on D like Mike James or Juan Dixon were….

The Wizards cannot score against this Boston defense…. No one can create a shot….

And Nick Young gets 5 minutes of run?

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 8:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Very disappointed

That he only gets 5 minutes with DeShawn out.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 2, 2009 8:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Palace of Good Play is all but vacant tonite

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I mean -

It’s not like the other Wizards guards are tearing up the floor…..

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 8:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

At least Javaris played a lot

But man, Mike James has got to stop playing.

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

by Mike Prada on Jan 2, 2009 8:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure I like James

He’s done much better in a Wizards uniform than he did in NO….

His history says he’s a chucker with no conscience… He pounds the Basketball…. He eats up seconds off the shot clock….. He seems to possess the ball too long.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So now

The Wizards are down to their 3rd string Center…. working on their 3rd starting PG…. Have plugged their SF into the SG spot because of injury…… Are starting a guy that cannot score at SF…

And you’re surprised that the best team in the Association is beating up on them?

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 8:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nope, no surprise here... just the blahs

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Embarrassed, ran off the floor, non-competitive.

Even if we are hurt, the players on the floor are in the NBA. We can only use the same excuses so many times.

by Wizards on Jan 2, 2009 8:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Plus the game I am watching in Warsaw is a rout...

Rockets clock being cleaned in Toronto. ZZZZZZZZ time in Poland, see you all on Sunday perhaps.

by khrabb on Jan 2, 2009 8:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

good call - not yet ZZZ time in AZ, but i'm bailing on this one

by little stevie colter on Jan 2, 2009 9:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Down 30 - and still no Nick Young

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

An alley-oop???

I didn’t know the Wizards knew what those were :P

by Gilbert4SpaceJam2 on Jan 2, 2009 9:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And Tapscott will play Butler and Jamison 35-40 minutes

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 9:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Earlier in the year - Dee Brown knew how to do it...

Learned the technique in Utah….

He was cut because he did it in a Wizards uniform

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 9:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Haven't been able to watch the game

But I heard about Blatche. Any update on him?

Krem's Sports Blog

by Matt K. on Jan 2, 2009 9:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Down by 31

We get to see McGee…..
We’ve seen Crittenton for 9 minutes
Even Blatche, AFTER he was injured, came back in for 2 minutes…

Yet – no Nick Young.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 9:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

NOW he starts the 4th Quarter

Immediately contests a shot by Tony Allen…

Drives the lane for a bucket – and one

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 9:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Another drive - another foul

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 9:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Again - good Defense by Young on Tony Allen - offensive foul

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 2, 2009 9:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Let me get this straight

We’re IN garbage time.

And Tapscott STILL pulled JaVale out after a few minutes in favor of Etan.

I’m starting the rumor here and now: JaVale McGee hooked up with Eddie Tapscott’s daughter. They were actually really pretty into each other, but Tap got overprotective, so now Kill Mode isn’t getting any cheese.

by sierradave on Jan 2, 2009 9:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs