Briefing: Finally, something worth talking about on the court
by Jake Whitacre on Jan 6, 2010 8:15 AM EST
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Given how successful the Wizards have been against the Sixers this year, it makes you wonder if things would be even worse if Eddie Jordan was still around. The case could be made that keeping the same system in place that made Gilbert, Caron, and Antawn successful could have prevented some of the problems this team has faced. Then again, they still wouldn't be anywhere close to being respectable on defense either.
Regardless of who was patrolling the sidelines, it was nice to see the Wizards deliver in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter is where teams really clamp down on defense, making ball movement becomes more critical to success on offense. The team shot 12-19 from the field in the final quarter thanks to eight assists during the final 12 minutes. Who led the charge? Gilbert Arenas, who had five of those eight assists in the final quarter and had 14 total. Say what you want about his pending legal issues, but he set the tone in last night's win.
He's tried to use humor to combat this stressful situation -- which could lead to serious trouble for violating D.C. gun laws and league rules. And, as his teammates gathered in a circle before the game, Arenas got in the middle, formed his hands into pistols -- thumbs up, index fingers out -- and acted as if he were shooting his teammates. "They said, 'Do it. Do it. Do it,' " Arenas said of his teammates. "You wonder why I can't be serious?" His teammates laughed hysterically. "Gil being Gil," Nick Young said afterward. "He's still finding ways to be funny."
76ers embarrassed in loss to Wizards - Kate Fagan, Philadelphia Inquirer
Considering all the 76ers losses preceding it - the first one to the Washington Wizards before Thanksgiving, the second to Washington before Christmas, a dozen others sprinkled in - one might hesitate to label last night's 104-97 defeat to the Wizards the worst of the season. Those other losses were bad. But this was worse. The Wizards won despite controversy swirling around starting point guard Gilbert Arenas, who could be facing a gun charge. The Wizards won even though they looked like the worst team in the NBA for the game's first 30 minutes: They missed layups, guarded no one, and generally appeared ready to board the charter bus parked outside. The Wizards won even though they trailed by 18 points (66-48) with 9 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Strong second half effort leads Wiz over 76ers - Matt Kremnitzer, Krem's Sports Blog
This performance doesn't mean that the Wizards are going to rattle off several wins in a row, especially with consecutive games against Cleveland and Orlando coming up (and the Arenas suspension looming), but it was nice to see the Wiz close out a game in the fourth quarter and actually play like, you know, they cared.
Home Delivery: Gilbert Arenas Goes Back to Work -- Tom Lorenzo, Fantasy FanHouse
Gilbert Arenas didn't let the Philly fans get to him, scoring 19 points and dishing 14 assists in 38 minutes. I can only imagine what was said from the stands. They're a creative bunch in Philadelphia, that's for sure. Still, Arenas continues to keep pressing on. Like I said before, the best you can do is keep plugging him in your lineup until we know more about what his immediate future will hold.
Wizards 104, 76ers 97 - Michael Lee, Wizards Insider
Young came off the bench to score 21 points and when asked if his performance was the result of making his first shot of the game, Young shook his head no. "It had a lot to do with my hairdo," said Young, whose new style was described by someone as what would happen if you rub your head on a crocodile. "I twisted it up for the new year. It's our good luck charm right now."
That was pretty horrendous. After being up 14 at half, and over 20 at one point, the Sixers were outscored 60-39 in the second half to lose by 7. Despite making almost half of their shots, Eddie Jordan's boys were undone by horrible free throw shooting, too many turnovers, and a complete defensive breakdown in the final two frames.
Best of Twitterville
Twitter / Mike Prada
I've never heard Phil Chenier criticize the #Wizards more than I have tonight. It's all measured of course, but you can tell he's frustrated
Twitter / Truth_About_It
Dear Washington Wizards, sharing IS caring ... was that the 13th assist of the game for Arenas?
Twitter / chad dukes
http://twitpic.com/wvgpy - how can someone be this stupid?
Twitter / Gilbert Arenas
I know everybody seen the pre game pics..my teammate thought to break the tention we should do that..but this is gettn way to much
Twitter / wizznutzz
But Nick Young hair look good all twisted up, and it look like Eddie Jordan broke out new Sharpie to draw on his follicles
Twitter / Michael Lee
Nick Young is balling 2night. He's got 21 and just gave Wiz a 94-90 on a jumper. Yes, it was a fadeaway. What else would you expect?
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I think the
Eddie Jordan watch is underway. That team is as perplexing as ours. They have a lot of talent, but it’s not working. personally, I don’t think Eddie was the right pick for that job. That team is built to run, not stay bogged down in Jordans offense.
As for us, I am happy with the win, happy with the play of Arenas, Jamison, Young, and Blatche. But I was thoroughly disappointed in Butler. He had Iverson on him, and I only saw him posting up one time. Inexcusable. He should have been camped out in the low block, exploiting the biggest mismatch on the floor.
Butlers likes to post up bigger guys
and use his quickness.
I hope Gil meets with Stern today and gets off easy because it is his birthday. Everyone gets a break on their birthday right?
shine like bald head, smoke trees call me log head
Butler (and the team) started the game posting up against Iverson multiple times. They had trouble getting him the ball a few times. They def tried to work it early on, though.
by MR on Jan 6, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
Everyone is Being Too Hard on Caron
IMO. His biggest problem has been him breaking the offense so he could get his shots up. Tonight, he only took 8 shots and tried to contribute in other ways, like being second to Gil on the team in assists with 4. Each of the Big 3 aren’t always going to have great games together. And 3-8 from the field isn’t the worst shooting night ever, either. That long jumper late in the 4th quarter was huge.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
by cuppettcj on Jan 6, 2010 10:30 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
And agreed totally. Its often hard to try and determine how well the player performed by looking at a stat line. I watched most of the game, and I thought Caron played well, if he was at sometimes invisible… He also put in a lot of effort defensively, and he did help keep the ball moving on offense.
If the Big 3 Ever Do Recover Their Magic
Before this team gets blown up, it will be when any one of the Big 3 will become somewhat invisible on any given night so that the other two can dominate. Gil and Twan were great last night partly because Caron stood back and let them be.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
That's an interesting theory
I wonder why that is? My impression has been that in order for the team to be successful in any given game without big statistical nights from all of the big three, there have to be at least 2 of them who get it in, and another 2 players on the team have to have above average nights…
Don't Get Me Wrong
It’s always nice when all three of our best players are playing great in the same game. But when one has an off-night, while the other two are playing well, that one player needs to defer to the hot hands rather than trying to force the issue. Earlier this season, when Butler went cold, he kept taking bad shots and completely broke whatever momentum Gil and Twan were building. After the talk with Flip, that appears to have stopped, and I welcome it.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
hold on
don’t mistake the people on this site for the guys over at Wizards Insider (who are saying Butler shouldn’t even be starting). Personally, I always thought Caron’s main problem was adjusting from being the second banana (last two seasons) to being the third banana.
Funny
I always thought that Caron was the top banana the last two seasons and is now trying to adjust to being the second.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
I consider AJ to be the better player between the two
Given that Caron can score while dominating the ball, he fits the perceptual mold as the better player, but notwithstanding, I think AJ is the better player.
I don’t think CB was the top banana last year, I just think he took the bull by the horns, so to speak, while AJs on-court style is more ‘get in where you fit in’.
Late in the Game
The past two season, when the Wizards needed a clutch shot, I recall that they always put the ball in Butler’s hands. Regardless of whether or not he’s the overall better player, that to me makes him the top banana.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
IMO that doesn't make him the top fiddle
Just means that he is better creating off the dribble, and better at setting someone else up to score if the defense double teams or becomes unbalanced.
I'm not
saying Butler is a bad player. I just think that if you’re 6’7, 230 and the guy guarding you is 5’11, 160, you should be able to take advantage of that big time. Especially if you’re an all star caliber player. And I DO think Caron is capable of it. I just think he, like the rest of the team, has fallen way too much in love with the perimeter game. And, since it is widely reported that he would be the easiest of the “Big 3” to move, I don’t know what we’re waiting for. I hope we don’t wait long enough for other teams to realize (or at least think) that Caron MAY NOT BE the player he once was.
But he's in the middle of his prime...
So you would have to assume that other GMs would look at it as he’s either a bad fit with this team (skill-wise or chemistry-wise) or the new offense they run or the new coaching staff (or some combination thereof), as opposed to some perceived deterioration of skill. That should be another 4-5 years away.
you would hope so
I don’t THINK his skill have deteriorated, but you never know. It has happened before. I do think, like many others on here, that he is having a hard time adjusting to being second, or third, fiddle, after being first the past few years. Never the less, the fact remains that he has settled for WAY to many jump shots this year, and has developed the nasty habit of dribbling the air out of the ball and/or pump faking when it’s unnecessary. Sure, these are bad habits that can be corrected. But will the turn us into a good team all of a sudden? No. So, like I said, what are they waiting for? Move him now.
Do you really think
Phili is looking to dump their coach ALREADY?
Aside from not giving him a chance to succeed and not giving the team a chance to learn the new system etc it would be a HUGE admission by the 76ers that they are stupid. People don’t generally like to do that.
Come on, it’s 30 games into the guy’s tenure. You don’t scrap a 3-5 year plan after a few months.
Plus how much money would they be on the hook for?
Isn’t Philly’s attendance atrocious? In this economy, they may want to get rid of him but hands might be tied
OK, I may be
over reacting a bit in suggesting EJ will get the axe. I just think that they may be realizing that it is a bad “marriage.” That team is not built to run the Princeton offense. They are simply built to run.
I've never been more upset with this team
When they fell down 18, I almost swore off my Wiz fandom. Thank god for Antawn’s character and EJ’s defensive coaching.
Speaking of EJ, I do think he’s in trouble. The 6ers aren’t a reclamation project. They made the playoffs last year and took Orlando to the wire more than once. They should be way better than they are. Firing him tomorrow is not feasible. Firing him at the end of the year is definite if the 6ers don’t bounce back.
A couple of other quick points:
- It’s refreshing to watch Oberto play defense sometimes. He’s intelligent and scrappy (when he doesn’t foul).
- It’s mind-numbingy painful to watch Oberto play offense. 1 out of 3 layups made is NOT good.
- Allen Iverson had the worst game I’ve ever seen him play last night. Nick Young’s 4q spurt was all over AI and so was Caron’s jumper.
- I said a few days ago that Caron is past his prime. I still think that’s true, but if he wants to tone down his shooting to focus on passing, rebounding, and defense, then he may have a revival. Bring back the beast Caron!
- One of the saddest parts about this whole Gilbert-guns debacle is that Javaris got tangled up in it. Now, I’m not sure if the Earl Boykins experiment will ever end.
- Beating the Cavs tonight would be the best thing ever.
To Be Fair to Oberto
He is usually money in the paint, not only on easy layups that anybody can make, but also on fiercely contested shots and on driving layups with pressure. I’m not sure why he didn’t convert last night, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and write it off as an aberration.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
this was the first encouraging win of the season for me
well, since the dallas win.
we came from like 18 down and won by a decent margin. something finally clicked. the offense looked explosive for the first time all year. and that’s what we are to the core with this team, explosive.
in terms of flip versus ej, repeating what we all knew earlier on, the best result would be that flip gets us better defensively (not great just average) and that flip adjusts and gets this roster back to approaching EJ’s offensive output at its best with our full roster. i’ve probably been too quick to write off flip’s ability to adjust to this team, or arguably vice versa, since i’ve seen no results thus far, but last night was somewhat promising. i do believe flip has to learn this team, since it’s unlike anything he’s coached before in the league, but maybe there’s hope that he’ll learn how to get this team to play the best it can. nights where we see offensive outburts like that for more than a brief spurt are a good sign. i don’t think this team is that good on the grind. score the ball fellers. then d up as best you can.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 6, 2010 3:20 PM EST reply actions
So what does this mean to our PG situation?
I can’t wait to see Earl Boykins pound that ball for 30 minutes per game!! (sarcasm)
Foye is not a true PG but I wouldn’t mind seeing him start there and seeing how the team plays.
Boykins can’t get it done. Mike James can’t get it done (is he still injured?)
Javaris is injured. It’s actually too bad this whole situation started because of Gilbert and Javaris. If Javaris was healthy, we could have at least seen if he’s taken any steps in his game since last year.
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