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Negativity

I've noticed lately that my posts have become increasingly negative. I've harped on poor Coaching. I've posted on what I perceived to be bad rotations. I've posted on poor 3-point defensive schemes; bad defensive efforts by Jamison and James;  inconsistent minutes and retarded player development. I've talked about the folly of changing from an Offensive minded coach to a Defensive minded "Interim" Coach; even though we don't have any good defensive players.

Star-divide

 I gotta drink some Kool Ade or something.... get my positive vibe back.

I know why the Wizards suck this year... and it's not because our "young" players are not giving effort.... It's not because there's no NBA talent on the roster. And it's not because the players don't care. And it's not just all about the Coaching either.

I remember talking to Phoenix Stan on Bright Side Of The Sun before the Phoenix game. There was a quote on their blog about the Wizards that said it was  "difficult to imagine a team caring less about winning or playing the game the right way ". I was kind of ticked off about that. I can't believe that anyone that has watched the Wizards could say that. I asked Stan where would the Suns be if they lost Nash, Shaq, and well, essentially everyone except Amare and the last 6 guys on the bench? I told him it's not that Washington is not trying; or that they've given up. The problem is that the Wizards have lost 6 of their top 8 players to injury. THAT is where Washington is right now

It's because our Starting All-NBA Second team Point Guard is injured -
AND, our Starting All-Star Small Forward is sick -
AND, our Starting Center is injured -
AND, our Starting Shooting Guard and best perimeter defender is injured -
AND, our Back-up Center is injured -
AND, the first Back-up Big Man (PF/C) off the bench is injured -
AND, the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th players at the end of the bench are playing major minutes
AND, because we traded a steady back-up PG for a shot jacking Mike James

So, when the Wizards get blown out by 21 points by a healthy Denver team; a Denver team with better personnel; a Denver team with a real (not Interim) Coach; I need to remember those facts. This is where the Wizards belong  - at the bottom of the Association, fighting to win 20 games this year. It's not because Jamison didn't play any defense. It's not because JaVale didn't block out. It's not because Mike James jacked up a long 2-pointer after one pass with 18 seconds left on the shot clock. It has nothing to do with those little individual things that happen during the games; but rather the bigger picture. The injury picture.

I just say to myself:
What if Cleveland lost LeBron, Ilgauskas, Mo Williams, Delonte West and Anderson Varejao? Where would they be?
What if L.A. lost Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton, Andrew Bynum (I know), Derek Fisher and Sasha Vujacic? Would that be a playoff team?
Where would Boston be if they lost KG, Perkins, Allen, Rondo, Powe and Eddie House?

I just gotta keep telling myself those FACTS. I gotta keep saying that my team will be better; that we'll be relevant again; that they'll play with swagger again; once we're healthy. I gotta believe it. I have to believe it. It's true right?

 

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It's true man.

It’s a dark season, but things WILL be better next year. Nowhere to go but up….

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Feb 7, 2009 5:37 PM EST reply actions  

The only thing is playing the injury card gets tiring after 2 and 1/2 seasons of injuries.

by Fundefined on Feb 7, 2009 7:18 PM EST reply actions  

wishful

I would love to think it was just a matter of injuries, but this season has broken me. Its been so long since I’ve seen Gilbert on the court that I can’t believe that he will actually return as good as before. That 27-17 record seems like a different century and I think Ernie needs to forget about it and move on. I’m now in the blow it up camp, although we’re seriously restricted by our contract situation. Time for Ernie to earn his money.

by hotplate on Feb 7, 2009 8:14 PM EST reply actions  

Boy, Rook

I wish there was more of that around here.

It’s hard for me to believe that so many people on this site get so negative about AJ, the only player on the team who is playing well.

But I know it’s been an unfathomably negative season for all of us, even those of us who lived through the dark years. This is worse.

But you can’t give up. So you have to suck it up.

by MR on Feb 7, 2009 10:35 PM EST reply actions  

That quote-

Actually came from a Blazers blog – maybe blazers edge, I can’t quite remember. Bright side just used it because I don’t think Phoenix Stan knew much about the wizards. Fact is it still was written – I’m just clarifying a little. I’m trying to be positive but this season has shocked me. I’m tired of injuries.

by ooba on Feb 8, 2009 10:45 AM EST reply actions  

I have hope too, but

The ‘what if’ game with LA, Boston and Cleveland is true, but do we have the pieces to compete with those squads with full health?

I’m not so sure.

However, with the development of youth AND health, then I start to think….hey, we might have something here.

I’ll still contest that to compete for a title, with the current team, the Wiz need a rugged rebounder and a 3-point marksman.

About not caring.

Sure, technically, at a base level, the Wizards “care” about whether they win or lose each game.

But, it’s clear to most that they are playing lackadaisically, selfishly, and with an absurd lack of focus.

Bad or not, injured or not…..they, especially the youth, are not developing good habits. Sure, maybe we can turn things around, but the culture that’s developing this season scares me.

I also enjoy being negative….BTW.

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

by Kyle Weidie on Feb 8, 2009 11:08 AM EST reply actions  

Agreed and Agreed..
The ‘what if’ game with LA, Boston and Cleveland is true, but do we have the pieces to compete with those squads with full health?

Even when healthy, I don’t think we can compete with those teams either…. and you can throw in Orlando in that mix in the East…. But I do think that the Wizards are the 4th best team in the East when they have their full compliment of players at 100%. The question is, can Ernie wrangle the expiring contracts of Etan Thomas and Mike James into THE piece that puts the Wizards on the same level as the Celtics, Cavaliers, etc…

with the current team, the Wiz need a rugged rebounder and a 3-point marksman.

My thoughts exactly. If they’re lucky with the ping pong balls, Blake Griffin fits the “rugged rebounder” description; AND it’s my opinion that he’s ready to contribute to an NBA contender right now. I’ve watched every televised Oklahoma game this year, and he’s very skilled. He’s got very great fundamentals. He’s athletic. He plays “big”; and he’s an absolute MONSTER on the boards.

If they don’t get lucky with Griffin, then I’m not sure where you get that physical inside rebounding presence. The 3-point sniper should be easy enough to pick up using the MLE.

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

by Rook6980 on Feb 8, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions  

Grunfeld will be a magician if he can get rid of our dead weight

Etan
Songaila (as much as I do love him, I will admit that he is not a “rugged rebounder”)
Mike James

And I forgetting anyone?

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

by Kyle Weidie on Feb 8, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions  

And Griffin

Some people are down on him….I’ve even seen him be called Kris Humphries (yuck!)

I think he will be better than Carlos Boozer….more hops and much better 1-on-1 defense.

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

by Kyle Weidie on Feb 8, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions  

One of the few weaknesses I've seen written about Griffin

is that he’s not a teriffic help defender. And that criticism is at least partly true.

Like I said, I’ve watched every televised game this year, and Griffin seems to be a pretty good one-on-one defender. He very rarely gets beat on spin moves or dribble drives. He holds his position extremely well. He’s strong as an ox; and he contests EVERY shot his man takes.

But he doesn’t block many shots – which is kinda surprising given his athleticism (Thabeet he’s NOT, but he can jump pretty well)… and he doesn’t rotate out to perimeter shooters very well (in my mind, that’s OK, since you want him down low rebounding, not contesting 3-point shots)….

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

by Rook6980 on Feb 8, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Hopefully he's a very hard worker....

………and a “student of the game” because help defense in the NBA is obviously a different animal. So perhaps he can be learned…..contingent on the Wiz having a good defensive coach of course.

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

by Kyle Weidie on Feb 8, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

I think one-on-one defense is more important

the Wizards already have a bunch of pretty good “help” defenders. Haywood, McGee and Blatche are all pretty good at blocking shots off the ball. The problem is that, because the Wiz have so many poor man-on-man defenders, there are too many opportunities for Haywood, Blatche, et al……

The more good man-on-man defenders the Wiz can pick up, the better the overall defense will become.

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

by Rook6980 on Feb 8, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions  

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