Briefing: 7 Day Dray keeps the good times rolling
by Jake Whitacre on Feb 23, 2010 8:46 AM EST
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PrintBlatche has 25 to lead Wizards over Bulls 101-95 - Associated Press
The Wizards coach was hoping for a more aggressive approach from Blatche, and during the third quarter, he saw it as he was cut on the right eyebrow, drawing blood. "Flip says he wants to see blood," Blatche joked. "That means you’re working hard."
Blatche Leads Wizards Past Bulls - Dave Johnson, CSN Washington
Andray Blatche led the Wizards in scoring with game-high 25-points including nine in a pivotal third quarter when the Wizards outscored the Bulls 31-16 to erase a ten-point half time deficit. In short Blatche is playing like an All-Star. "Let me tell you one thing, it was just so crazy. When all these guys (players acquired in trades) got here the chemistry was like we’ve been together since the beginning of the season," Blatche explained. "We all have one thing in mind and that’s winning. We all are working hard together competing and everything is paying off well for us." Blatche also had 11-rebounds and James Singleton, one of the newcomers Blatche referred to, pulled in a season high 12 rebounds as the Wizards won the battle of the boards 43-36 against the NBA’s best rebounding team.
Wizards 101, Bulls 95 - Craig Stouffer, Pick & Roll
"We all got together," said Andray Blatche. "JaVale [McGee], he was the one who actually said it. He said we’ve been in this situation before but we let it slide past us in Toronto. That brought more focus and guys just finished the game out." That's Blatche of the three double-doubles in four games giving credit to McGee of 2 for 4 shooting (50 percent, people) with only one turnover. Their corner of the locker room was an afterthought last month. With Blatche blowing up (another blog post coming up later on him), with McGee showing signs of discipline and control, with yet another game in which this new group has played hard and together and well, there's more evidence of what was missing before last week's trades, of what indeed was stale with the Big Three.
Forward Andray Blatche led the Wizards with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds, and newcomers Al Thornton, James Singleton and Quinton Ross were significant contributors in Washington's third win in four games since the team parted ways with many of its core players.
A cold slap of reality: Wizards 101, Bulls 95 - Matt McHale, By The Horns
On paper, they’re a bad team and have been all season. But Washington went through an extreme makeover before last week’s trade deadline. Next thing you know, they beat the Denver Nuggets by 10 on Friday. Sure, the Nuggets were a little gassed from beating the Cavaliers in Cleveland the night before, but Denver is still the second-best team in the Western Conference. On Saturday night, the Wizards almost beat the Raptors in Toronto — Washington actually led 100-91 with 5:40 left — before losing their legs down the stretch. Toronto’s not a great team, and they were without Chris Bosh, but they’re 31-24 and have won nine of their last 10 home games. Maybe it’s the Wounded Tiger Theory. Or, if you prefer, the Ewing Theory. Or maybe it’s just a fresh start for guys like Andray Blatche (a game-high 25 points plus 11 rebounds), Al Thornton (17 points, 7 rebounds), Randy Foye (16 points, 9 assists) and James Singleton (a game-high 12 boards).
All We Ask Is Trust - Kyle Weidie, Truth About It
Believe it or not, Flip Saunders is a relieved man. Out the door are the failed expectations of the previously constructed team. Now he can get back to what he likes to do, teaching. Watch the Wizards coach on the sidelines now. He's taking time to talk to his young players immediately after subbing them out the game. He's pointing and instructing, imploring his students to do the same with each other. It's not like Flip wasn't giving it his coaching all before, it's just that now he doesn't have to stand by while the fruits of his labor go untrusted by inflexible veterans whose play insisted they knew better.
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I am MUCH happier
with McGee taking less shots. Patrick Ewing he is not, so his ill-advised jumpers/bricks were getting old. For now, he needs to stick to alley-oops and put backs.
Same theme this game as the last 3:
- Blatche is a legit 20/10 guy IN THE POST
- Thornton is not to be denied (kinda reminds me of Caron when he first arrived)
- Singleton is an animal. I don’t even cringe anymore when he hoists up 3’s. I just like it when he’s on the floor.
by CJHutch on Feb 23, 2010 9:24 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed.
Although I’m not really sure about the Thornton/Caron comparison. Caron always seemed a lot smoother to me – with Thornton doing his thing way closer to the basket, but both of them gave me the feeling of “I’m REAL glad this guy’s on my team.”
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
I like Thorton's aggressiveness
but that dude is a first class ball hog. That’s where I see the Caron Butler comparison. Thorton’s selfishness on offense was a big issue with the Clippers, so Flip needs to intervene and get that corrected quickly before it harms the great chemistry the team has right now.
yep
I guess I’m just talking about the way Thornton bullies his way to the basket. Caron did that quite a bit his first year with us, not so much since.
at least he's bullying his way to the basket
back at clipperland he was settling for mid range jumper clanks.
Maybe its just me, but Blatche still seems soft
One thing I noticed consistently is that when he would back his man down in the post, or under the basket, he would always look to do some kind of flip shot or lay in opposed to trying to throw it down taking hands and forarms with him. A couple of times the defender was able to swat the ball away, other times he was fouled and could’ve got an and-one had he dunked.
If he wants to be great, that is the approach he has to take. I give him much credit for the effort he is putting out there. He sees the opportunity and trying to make the most of it, but needs to toughen up and throw that sh*t down anytime he is close to the rim. And stop playing the high post, get your azz down on those blocks! You’re 6’11" for crying out loud.
by TheRealBigMike on Feb 23, 2010 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
have you SEEN him?
You’re right, he’s not particularly aggressive at the rim. But Jamison left intact. He didn’t leave his physique with Blatche. AB still has the arms of a 12 year old, which is the reason he is not throwing it down “taking hands and forarms with him.” Hopefully he’ll work on his strength in the offseason, motivated by the chance to finally be “the man.”
Just Because Blatche's Post Moves are More Like Hakeem Olajuwon's Rather Than Shaquille O'Neal's
Does not mean he’s playing soft. He is just playing with more finesse, but as long as it is working, I’m OK with that.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
Anyone catch this BS
Jason Terry on Brendan Haywood:
"The guy has rejuvenated himself, It’s funny. When you’re on a losing team, people don’t see what kind of talent you have. Now that he’s with us, he’s able to showcase his skills."
Where have you been JT? That 20 rebounds TIED his career high, set earlier this year.
Why is everyone taking swipes at us after we give them our best players?
Terry's kind of a loudmouth
I’m not surprised.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
yeah, I saw that
another case of a guy living in a bubble. He didn’t notice Brendan when we beat them the first game of the season?
Haywood got 13 points on 8-11 shooting with 18 rebounds (not a typo, 18 rebounds) and 2 blocks on Terry’s team just last month.
Though I'm guessing
The point’s are a typo… Given he went 8-11.
Its kind of hard not to take swipes at our organization...
This year has been a joke
by tmoneyttime1 on Feb 23, 2010 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
terry was in the same situation
no one gave him any credit when he was in atlanta
by DarrellWalkerFan on Feb 23, 2010 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
Funny
in my memory he got more credit as the #1 in Atl then he does now as the #2 (or less) in Dallas.
have to disagree with you there
during dallas’s run to the finals terry was all the rage. only hardcore fans liked terry in atlanta. those hawks teams were bad.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Feb 23, 2010 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
Terry's still a fan favorite out there
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
He was THE MAN on a terrible team.
He hardly ever even starts anymore.
I thought he had more media attention back then as a rising star. Except for that finals run where he was playing out of his mind.
by MR on Feb 23, 2010 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, you're talking about media attention?
In that case, I’m not sure.
I was more saying that fans love him out there.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Oh I don't know...
I thought we were making comparisons with regard to his comments about BTH. So I don’t know if it’s “media” exactly…“showcasing” skills etc.
Just one of those times that we discuss back and forth till the original point is lost. But I still think Dixon was the right choice for that last roster spot.
by MR on Feb 23, 2010 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
i think it's completely relevant to what i said
When you’re on a losing team, people don’t see what kind of talent you have.
i think terry knows this from experience.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Feb 23, 2010 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
i dont think he was taking swipes at us
he is saying that more people notice what he is doing. saying that the wizards are a losing team is stating the facts.
Well, he's saying people now realize how good he is
Which is false of course, because he killed Dallas both times we played them.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I think I could do without randy foye's
gunning… our team is good, but some of the players still have a tendency to try and ‘get theirs’. I know everyone’s in a contract year or looking for extensions, but we don’t want this last stretch to turn into summer league
well - many of them are also playing for their next contract
which is not all bad – as long as the new leader – Blatche!!!! – can keep their focus on the team.
"how ironic - you came here with a mouse in a bottle, now YOU are the mouse in the bottle" - B.M. Smith
by little stevie colter on Feb 23, 2010 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
had a good view of Flip's teaching last night
my ticket rep upgraded our seats last night so instead of the usual sect 421 view we were in 110 row f across from the wiz bench so I got a good view of the “new” teaching Flip Saunders Anyway..Flip sent singleton to check in and halfway down the scorers table Singleton turns back to ask Flip a question about a play. Flip not having a markerboard with him..takes his dry erase marker and diagrams the play on the floor right there in front of him. I want to say singleton scored or assisted on the next basket so obviously it worked. I dont know how much the ball boy liked the scrubbing he had to do on the floor during the next time out.
section 401 Row H seat 1
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