New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards: Regular Season Game 56 Open Thread
by Mike Prada on Feb 26, 2010 6:49 PM EST
in Game Threads
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PrintNew York Knicks at Washington Wizards, Feb 26, 2010 7:00 PM EST
The Essentials:
Knicks (19-37) vs. Wizards (20-35)
7 p.m.
Verizon Center
TV: CSN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
Notable Knicks numbers this season
22nd in expected winning percentage (.391)
7th in pace (93.9 possessions per game)
17th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (106.1 points/100 possessions)
T23rd in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (109.5 points allowed/100 possessions)
Pre-game links
Posting and Toasting, SB Nation's Knicks Blog
Knickerblogger
Javaris Crittenton breaks his silence after the gun incident
A New York Times article on the loony Walt Frazier
GameDay Knicks
| Tonight's Projected Starters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wizards | vs. | Knicks |
| Randy Foye | PG | Sergio Rodriguez |
| Mike Miller | SG | Tracy McGrady |
| Al Thornton | SF | Wilson Chandler |
| James Singleton | PF | Danilo Gallinari |
| Andray Blatche | C |
David Lee |
Shaun Livingston, the newest Wizard, was doing the standard shooting drill many Wizards players do before games. The drill requires players to cut from out of bounds, fade to the baseline, and then elude assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. as he closes out of their jump shot. On this try, though, Unseld went a little too far and slammed into Livingston as Livingston tried to drive baseline.
"I don't want to hurt him on his first day," Unseld said, which got a chuckle out of everyone.
Ironic? Sure, but the Wizards feel they can get something out of Livingston when it's all said and done. They brought him in for a workout and decided to sign him even though he hasn't played an organized, full-court game since he was released by Oklahoma City in late December.
"If he ever can get healthy again -- and he doesn't have to get 100% healthy -- he's got unbelievable basketball instincts, high IQ and can really pass the ball," Flip Saunders said.
The coaching staff has history with Livingston too. When he was coaching Minnesota last fall, assistant coach Randy Wittman brought Livingston in for training camp. Livingston was eventually cut, but that stint meant he was already on the Wizards' radar.
"Randy Wittman had him in last year in September, and seeing him from a year ago to where he is now, there's like a 100% difference in where he was," Saunders said.
At the same time, Saunders admitted Livingston hasn't played much basketball since he was released by the Thunder. As mentioned before, he hasn't done any full-court stuff (which Saunders was quick to say that "most guys [who get released] don't") and has only done individual workouts. (Saunders did make it a point to add that he hasn't gone to the YMCA because "those guys will try to make a name in one afternoon session of basketball ... and that's how you get hurt"). Saunders admitted he didn't expect to use Livingston much tonight, but he'll have to wait and see.
More notes:
- JaVale McGee will not start tonight because he was late to shootaround this morning. As one media member said, you'd think he'd be the first guy there after getting his butt kicked by Marc Gasol on Wednesday, but he wasn't. James Singleton will start in his place.
- Speaking of Singleton, he's wearing a splint on his left middle finger after hurting it in the closing stretches of Wednesday's game. A trainer was pegging balls at him to catch with his left hand, and he still looked like he was in a bit of pain. He'll play though.
- Saunders said that Mike Harris will probably play more minutes tonight.
- Funny story from Craig Stouffer of the Examiner: a Knicks trainer wandered over to the Wizards side of the court and joked to Harris "This ain't no Vipers now." The Vipers are the nickname for Rio Grande Valley of the D-League. Harris had previously told the guy, "hey, ballboy committee meeting is over there."
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I was surprised to see
Blatche shooting like 35% from 3-point this year — but with VERY limited number of shots
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
i'm lurking and multi-tasking
"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 26, 2010 7:18 PM EST reply actions
i am here
although during these games i am pretty frozen nowadays
nice spin move by james
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly
good defense on lee too
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly
first post ever
im new to all this, but im looking forward to discussing wiz basketball here
Isaiah Nicholson
just a bit off the game topic
but it really is weird that the NBA makes butler stop with the straws now…its been going on for years.
what changed? really him going to a more visible team?
Both Stevenson and Dirk started
a few days after Butler got to Dallas….
NBA – always conscious of their younger audience (choke…gasp… gag, gag….) thought it best to ban the practice….
(more likely, McDonalds refused to PAY the David Stern and the League for the free advertising)
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
yep
you see that tnt interview with him. kenny said it right you’re on a real team now so you’re going to be scrutinized on every little thing a lot more.
I guess JaVale's salute is the new "I Can't Feel My Face"
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I hope that McGee got a wake up call
late for a shoot around…. not good…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I loved that Wiz promo
“want to impress your date? Bring her to the Wizards versus Bucks game.”
yea. The Bucks are a real panty dropper.
"I am excited about starting 2009. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We're on our way. We have a lot of healthy players this year." - Vinny Cerrato
by Kevin Ewoldt on Feb 26, 2010 7:30 PM EST via mobile reply actions
"wizards by 20... i mean seven"
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly
Bet Mama McGee got in his face
Son, I did not teach you to play ball like that. Time for rebounding drill.
theBIGC1982
Question...
If Caron or Twan hits a game winning shot against the Wiz…can Buckhantz still throw out a Dagger!!?
I guess we won’t have the chance to find out this year.
"I am excited about starting 2009. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We're on our way. We have a lot of healthy players this year." - Vinny Cerrato
wasn't bill walker the second round pick we sold a few seasons ago?
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly
Nice quarter....
Great passing – 10 assists on 12 made baskets…
Wizards with 6 blocks…
Wiz shooting 60% Knicks 37%
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Do our pg's understand pick and roll
they’ve missed blatche twice, thornton once.
Boykins is the worst at looking for the roll man
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Both Foye and Boykins
tend to look for their shot first, after coming off the screen….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
curse of les boulez
"I am excited about starting 2009. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We're on our way. We have a lot of healthy players this year." - Vinny Cerrato
just an ankle...
he’ll get it taped up and be back…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
i don't know what we did, but the basketball gods really hate us
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly
is it me
Or does it seem like Mike Miller is constantly falling or diving on the floor?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Injuries
Do the Wiz have one of those farm teams that’s the all wheelchairs?
"I am excited about starting 2009. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We're on our way. We have a lot of healthy players this year." - Vinny Cerrato
HAHAHA
That kid shouting “Wiz are #1”…I always wished I could be on TV then and cheer loudly saying “Wooo!! We’re number 28!!!”
"I am excited about starting 2009. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We're on our way. We have a lot of healthy players this year." - Vinny Cerrato
right in stride
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly
i don't remember deshawn
ever doing anything like ross just did
I'm not sure I like him (or anyone) taking #3 this soon
"I am excited about starting 2009. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We're on our way. We have a lot of healthy players this year." - Vinny Cerrato
by Kevin Ewoldt on Feb 26, 2010 7:55 PM EST up reply actions
They just literally did circles around our D
"I am excited about starting 2009. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We're on our way. We have a lot of healthy players this year." - Vinny Cerrato
miller?
"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 26, 2010 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
we need sooo much more of that
"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 26, 2010 8:01 PM EST up reply actions
Nice job shooting that instead of swinging it to Ross for three
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Thornton is attacking the rim like his florida state days
when he would kill my terps…
Singleton's getting his ankle taped
Sprained it, but he should return.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Mike Miller still has that old Wiz mentality
dribble up..dont pass..and shoot with one foot on the 3-point line
"I am excited about starting 2009. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We're on our way. We have a lot of healthy players this year." - Vinny Cerrato
can we start calling the Wiz defense "stiffling"?
they give up an open shot or two occasionally – but compared to the games before 7 games ago….. they’re killing it on Defense
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
foye playing better
looking a little more comfortable
"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 26, 2010 8:05 PM EST reply actions
Flip did that last game with Harris
Brought him in for a few seconds at the end of the half…. and again at the end of the game….
So I don’t think we’ll see Livingston playing any significant minutes.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Shaun Livingston and Mike Harris get their 20-second cameo
And now they’re done, I’m guessing.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
This might sound crazy...
…but I liked what I saw in those 20 seconds. A strong dribble into the lane, sturdy stop and turn, and good spot of the open man at the 3-point line.
Andray Blatche or David Lee
Who do you all think will be the better player five years from now? I think 7 Day has more basketball talent, and will be an All-Star too.
Depends where Lee lands this summer
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Dray
Lee is what he is….. and won’t get appreciably better….
Blatche has already shown he can get much better…. His production is up (and not just because he’s playing more minutes)…. His scoring, rebounding and assists have all gone up… his turn overs down….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
his next step is to get his damn body in shape
"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 26, 2010 8:12 PM EST up reply actions
The reason I say it depends
Is because if Lee lands on a winning situation, he’ll be recognized for being a solid role player. The “stat-stuffer on a bad team” label is unfair with him.
However, Blatche definitely has more natural skill.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
comparing stats..
Lee’s stats over the season:
PPG 20.3 RPG 11.50 APG 3.5
Blatche’s over the last five games have been about the same, maybe a big higher, right?
Lee is athletic, but a bit stiff when he plays. Dray is much a much more fluid player.
Blatche
over the last 5 games
PPG 24.8 (58% shooting) RPG 9.8 apg 2.8
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Blatch’s numbers in 35.8 minutes (David Lee in 37 minutes) – so roughly the same
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Also
Dray at least attempts to play defense
i'd say he's above average actually
at least as a post defender
"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 26, 2010 8:22 PM EST up reply actions
And he averages about 1 block per game
That should go up as he goes through the rest of the season playing 35-38 minutes a night….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Not really - averaging about 1 per game
had 0 2 2 1 and 0 in 5 games…. but he should average somewhere around 1.5 – 2 blocks per game playing starters minutes
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
and with 5 seconds left Nick clanks one...
leaving plenty of time for AH to get the trey
al harrington's game is garbage
i hate him as a player
"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 26, 2010 8:10 PM EST reply actions
ha - i'm pretty sure we've this same exchange every knicks game
but it needs to be said often.
he’s such a 1 dimensional shot chucker. he’s a good shooter and all, but something about the way he plays disrespects the game.
"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 26, 2010 8:20 PM EST up reply actions
He gets buckets, man...
but I am glad we did not have to get him in a fire sale trade.
Can Foye move off the ball well enough to play SG?
i know he can’t finish near the rim either…throws us trash.
On Offense? YEs
Do you want him guarding Vince Carter, Dwayne Wade or Joe Johnson?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Knicks vs. Wiz cap space
For Mike P. but others too— how do the Wiz stack up with the Knicks in terms of resources available/expiring contracts/etc. to attract free agents next season? You always here about the Knicks positioning themselves financially to get Lebron or Wade or both. Are the Wiz in the same ballpark?
It's funny...
You do not hear much mention of the Wizzies in the cap space conversation, yet depsite still having to carry the Arenas contract, they have plenty of room to bring on a high salary player this summer … if they choose … but they may not choose.
I hope they don't.
That cash will come in handy after the lock out
One Max Free Agent
There has got to be one Max FA, who would have not only the skill to make this team a competitor, but the stature/maturity to control or guide Gilbert Arenas.
close to unbelievable
please dont put livingston in the game
Might as well get it over with
Don’t want to get our hopes up or anything..
lee's going to go nuts with him out
"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 26, 2010 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
headband
anyone notice that thornton wore headband 1st half – blatche didnt…now they switched this half?
they're having fun messin with people
seems like it’s been brought up a bunch since the other night
by young, loud and Scotty on Feb 26, 2010 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
after marc gasol destroyed him last game
i think it’s pretty clear that mcgee needs a ton of work to be a competitive post defender
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly
God Al's been burned on that shot fake twice now
I can see why the Clippers got tired of him.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
this team is assist crazy!
big men passing! thornton 4 assists!
"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 26, 2010 8:36 PM EST reply actions
Fab better play hard...
we need him with Singleton down for the night
Fab just doesn't have it anymore
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I'm sure he would move his feet if he could
He just can’t anymore. Can’t believe we signed him for $2 million instead of drafting Blair.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
i thought he was supposed to be part of the big 3
along with Foye and Miller
by young, loud and Scotty on Feb 26, 2010 8:43 PM EST up reply actions
Blair can move his feet
and the 3 people around him at the same time…..
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
T-Mac
…can still play. I wonder how he would have helped the Wizards. He’s old though, I remember he matched up against Michael Jordan, during MJ’s last couple years with the Bulls.
It went in at least two times in this game
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
just worked a few minutes ago
he couldn’t get it going that time cuz he had like 3 defenders in the post on him.
by Marine4Life51 on Feb 26, 2010 8:48 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah he's playing well
It helps that their PGs stink on defense.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
And again - with a quarter to go
Flip has used EVERYONE eligible to play tonight….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Can we really count Livingston and Harris though?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
yeah
he hasn’t missed a single shot, impressive considering they were all long range jumpers
Javale's post shot is a tear drop...
needs to work on something more aggresive
go to hell harrington
"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 26, 2010 8:56 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
What's the "all irrational hated players" team?
I got Mo Williams, Q-Rich, Harrington, Tim Thomas and Varejao.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
q-rich for sure
but oddly, even during the playoff match-ups, varejao never bugged me much
"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 26, 2010 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
Never have
and it’s completely irrational
this has the feel of the last game against the Griz
where we play very well for 3 quarters and 6 minutes..then start to wear down, make mistakes, and don’t have someone who can create their own offense…
their def has left town. i think the knicks had 70 pts with 4 min left in the 3rd qtr. and scored 20+ pts in the last 7 min- ouch
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:00 PM EST reply actions
Very surprised he went to Livingston and not Harris
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Can you blame him
They isolated him even though he hasn’t played in a real game since December. What did they expect?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Yeah.
His defense was bad and so was his positioning on offense but what do you expect? Might as well play him while we got him here and see if he’s worth keeping around. Winning games isn’t the #1 priority now, even if it would be nice to instill some confidence in our young guys like Blatche.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
we really need to get another big man this season
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:04 PM EST reply actions
how about ilgauskas?
i heard he was available
We just let Danilo Gallinari dunk
Jeez.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
and thornton had to let him go
so no help.
team simply looks tired
"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 26, 2010 9:08 PM EST up reply actions
Yes and this one is going down...
the slippery slope
Who would have thought that commercial was right all along?
I used to laugh at that thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
they win this game with singleton
"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 26, 2010 9:09 PM EST reply actions
DRAY very close to triple double
when was the last time we had one?
in dray's defense
he is facing constant double teams, and has played the entire 2nd half.
he is playing great
over 100 again
of course, allowed over 100 again
good for you al harrington
see? you’re career could have been like this if YOU GAVE A SHIT!!!
"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 26, 2010 9:13 PM EST reply actions
diff in the game right now is mcgees inbound pass- ugggh
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:14 PM EST reply actions
Nobody committed to Dray
So I actually think that as the right play.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
actually they are still working on defending the inbound pass
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:17 PM EST reply actions
yes because he had a wide open lane to the rim
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
agree -
"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 26, 2010 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
I was thinking of replacing someone in that starting lineup and putting House in
The problem is House is just so awesome in SS0L, the book.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
i love how he built all the drama up on the wide open layup…great announcing!
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:20 PM EST reply actions
he slipped on something on the floor- wet spot or ???
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:23 PM EST reply actions
should we be rooting for a loss and better lottery position ???
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:23 PM EST reply actions
That was a weak call though.
I saw little contact and it was more of a flop than anything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
The play went to crap when Foye ignored Blatche in the post to swing the ball
Even though Foye had a clear pass available.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
mcgee did not rotate and when he did it was S L O W-
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
mcgee was slow bec he never wanted to take the charge. you can see it in his face and tentativeness- bastard. then hard foul him to prevent the bucket…rookie lol
by les boulez bomber on Feb 26, 2010 9:25 PM EST reply actions
Dray Day
Blatche will be the next Dirk? You heard it here first :)
you're not the first to make that assumption
and it’s wrong.
they need singleton in
3 blocks in 10 minutes sounds like the kind of guy who forces them to take a j
He's coming right along...
yikes OT and a tired team
JaVale made the block
But Blatche made the play when he cut off the pass to Harrington.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Good eye Steve
That should have been a shot clock violation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
buck was right
refs blew that – should have been a shot clock violation with 1.3 on the clock – ball didnt hit the rim and didnt change posession
Should have been a shot clock violation
with 1.5 seconds left on the clock
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Let's Go Wizards!
Ot
by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Feb 26, 2010 9:33 PM EST via mobile reply actions
What were the refs thinking?!?!
Can anyone tell me how there wasn’t at least 1 second put on the clock????
great game...
the crowd sounds like its really into the game….just like the nuggets game last week.
i shouldnt have given my tickets to my cousin tonite.
17 actually
Lots of available missed shots.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
that was a bad charge by ross
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly
harris getting some crunchtime minutes
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly
They should go to him
He has fresh legs. Everyone else is dead.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
definitely
"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but trust me, you're gonna love it." ~Marty McFly