Open Thread: Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors, Preseason Game 3

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 2:19 PM EDT in Game Threads

Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors, Oct 11, 2009 3:00 PM EDT

The Essentials:

Wizards (19-63 last season) vs. Raptors (33-49)
3:00 p.m.
Air Canada Center
TV: None
Radio: 106.7 The Fan

Notable Raptors numbers last season

23rd in expected winning percentage (.403)
14th in pace (92 possessions per game)
22nd in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (107)
22nd in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (110)

Tonight's Projected Starters
Wizards	vs.	Raptors
Gilbert Arenas	PG	Jose Calderon
Randy Foye	SG	Sonny Weems
Mike Miller	SF	DeMar DeRozan
Antawn Jamison	PF	Chris Bosh
Fabricio Oberto	C	Andrea Bargnani

UPDATE: Randy Foye to start at SG, per Michael Lee's Twitter.

So game 3 of the preseason is upon us, and both teams will be missing key guys. As was reported yesterday by Michael Lee, Brendan Haywood is out with his injured ankle (it's precautionary, folks, don't go crazy), and Caron Butler is getting a rest because Flip Saunders can give him a rest.

For Toronto, Hedo Turkoglu remains out of action as he continues to recover from the World Championships.

Toronto's always been a team that has given us some great games in the past, both good and bad. Hopefully, today will also be like that. I'd love to see some better defense today, but with Haywood out, I suspect we'll see a ton of open threes and drives to the hoop.

I should say, we'll probably hear a lot of open threes and drives to the hoop. This game isn't on TV, so you can only follow it on 106.7 The Fan. Even with the Skins game going on right now, I'll be listening.

GO WIZARDS!

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Comments

www.rajangan.net

Apparently streaming it, anybody else have a site??? This one works for others but doesnt seem to work for right now

by Unxpekted on Oct 11, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Did you find a site that worked?

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Then again I cant read military time haha

by Unxpekted on Oct 11, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Flip said on the radio that Oberto did a good job guarding Dirk

And I’m thinking “yeah, he guarded him for like 3 possessions, but sure.”

The dude is very good at finding things to praise.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

Foye playing with Arenas

Wondering how he’ll do. My guess is … well.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

If I could listen to the Redskins game

and watch this one, I would.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

Me too

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

no way

larry michaels is the worst voice and person on the radio.
sounds dead at the raps arena

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

This is true

But football is an easier game to just broadcast, whereas basketball has so much happening that I feel like you have to see it.

BTW, anyone hear how they said Arenas is looking at his finger?

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

he's still in the game

so that’s a plus

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like he's shooting

Only problem is he’s missing.

He really needs to turn those long mid-range shots into threes.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

He does

But I’m pretty sure he will not too long after it starts to matter.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I dunno

I hope so too, but why not practice those in preseason to get into a rhythm?

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

So much of his game is based on confidence

That if this is what he needs to light the hibachi (so to speak) that I’m not gonna question it too much.

That thought applies to no other player on any other team, ever.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m pretty sure what we have with the Skins, and it’s not pretty.

Wonder if Snyder realizes it’s the O-line and not the coach or the QB yet.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I ahve a site where you can watch all sports games live. but they didnt stream exhibition basketball today

by qthaballa on Oct 11, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

After the brutal call in the Skins game

I’m on the radio feed fulltime.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

ouch redskins

and this wiz game feels like last season. come on.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean, the guys on the floor pretty much stink and will never be on the floor together ever

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

In non-shocking news, a Blatche/McGee combo can't rebound

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

Who is on the floor now

I could’ve sworn I heard James McGuire Blatche and McGee…

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

Nevermind

Young. It all makes sense now.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

has bosh been in?

or is he injured/resting?

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

It's about time we saw a Blatche/McGee high-low lob

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Holy crap the Redskins suck. No toughness whatsoever.

End comments on the skins.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

ugh

just more important for Wiz to put it together this season. so tired of rooting for losers. at least i get some shadenfruede as papelbon loses it for red sox. makes me happy.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

sounds like mcgee is active

wish i could see whether it was under control and smart or still kind of reckless.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

So the good thing with this team is they have more "veterans"

I dunno.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

Can we learn much of anything from this game?

I guess Foye could play himself out of the starting SG tourney. What else could come from this game?

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

Nice break for Gil with the foul.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

Looks like they're in the matchup zone

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

They seem to be overcommitting rushing to the line... it's opening up the driving lanes.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, a three!

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

HE SHOT A THREE AND MADE IT!

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Sweet play.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Great dish from Gil to Twan with the and 1.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

Free Throw

disparity is really hurting us. 8-27 in favor of Toronto.

by forthepeople on Oct 11, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

Great recognition, Gil

Saw Bargnani on him and drove to the hoop. Flip needs to show him that clip over and over again.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

My god Arenas is fast

TV feed switched over to the falcons game. Ha!

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

Yea, same happened here.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.

by Kyle Weidie on Oct 11, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

It's back now though.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Had to refresh to get the feed back.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Good defense

Seems Arenas is more focused on D in this game.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

Encouraging with Oberto in for Haywood. I’m fine with two defensive-minded centers.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Foye's really chasing Douby around on screens

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

Liking Foye a lot more today.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

Wizards actually playing some decent defense.

I’m surprised and it will be great if we can do this all game. Same intensity and focus.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

I hope we do it all season long and into the playoffs

by bigrm18 on Oct 11, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice drives to the basket by Arenas and Foye

by bigrm18 on Oct 11, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

Wow what a pass

Loving the defensive rotations, particularly from Gil. He closed out on Bargnani really well there.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

Was that 14-7 Niners?

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

smiley emoticon

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

14-7 Falcons I thought.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Falcons in the lead

by bigrm18 on Oct 11, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow. These refs are going to be the bane of my existence all season long.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

Oberto looked a lot more spry

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

Gil's completely controlling this game

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

Did I hear his stat-line right

He’s in sight of a triple-double.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

He's definitely putting things a little more together.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Come on Randy, shoot that shot

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

wow defense looks much better

this quarter

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

Get up, Antawn, get up

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Guess he's ok...

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Elbow to the nose. He's up and ok.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Great. Jamison's on the floor. Ugh.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

looks painful

but not a knee or anything like that – his head, i think.
f.u. reggie evans

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

JaVale cannot guard pick and roll at all

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

James, Foye, Miller, Blatche, McGee

is a horrible lineup.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

James, Young, Miller, Blatche, McGee

would be better with James off the court.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, Mike James. Wow

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

He's anti-smooth.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

i'm going to take the 3rd quarter away from this game

all else is preseason mess.

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

Yep

Glad I watched the third.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Come on Nick, knock that down

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

Great hustle back by Nick to help out on the breakaway.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

javale + little jump hook= awesome

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

DeRozan looks a lot better than I would have expected

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

JaVale and Dray are developing some chemistry

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

NY1 and 1!

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

Great ball movement!

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

I think I can feel safe looking for my size M Arenas orange Bullets jersey now.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

best retro-jersey ever

those were awesome

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

McGee is getting torn up by O'Bryant and Johnson...

Just… well, sad.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, he's pretty lost on defense

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

you can see him

just trying to set up for a high-light block

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, it's pretty brutal

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

When Patrick O'Bryant throws his body around and it moves you...

you know you have a problem.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

in other news

i feel stupider and like a worse person after reading the comments on the video feed site

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

haha.

So true. It’s incredibly frustrating.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting small lineup on the floor now

James/Young/Miller/McGuire/Blatche

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

The canadians hate Blatche, eh?

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions

They claimed he was a "solid player"

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.

by Kyle Weidie on Oct 11, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Solid head?

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

Mike James with the Technical free throw miss. Lovely.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

And then the turnover.

He is not good at basketball, is he?

The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.

by mamemimo on Oct 11, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh Mike James

Can you please give up the ball and let Mike Miller make a play instead?

Thanks,

Sincerely,
Bullets Forever

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

He single-handedly will lose the game for us.

by Craig_ on Oct 11, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I think we gotta take James out to save his trade value.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

has mike miller taken any shots?

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

Oh god, clear path foul?

Goddammit.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

I actually

Thought James was improved this year, based upon the recent article about him. I guess not…

by bigrm18 on Oct 11, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Well, it's settled

No small lineup anymore. They can’t rebound.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Right

And it was a really funky lineup too … James/Young/Miller/McGuire/Blatche.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 11, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

by little stevie colter on Oct 11, 2009 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

Washington's weekend:

Brutal loss by the Skins. Somewhat defensible loss by the Caps. Two meaningless losses by the Bullets, made ok because it looks like Gil’s all the way back.

I hope Flip’s not showing us his second string for the regular season.

by bronco6778 on Oct 11, 2009 5:44 PM EDT reply actions