Wizards beat the Charlotte Bobcats 97-91

There’s no question Dray is playing like a man whose job is on the line. But I don’t think the past two games are a good barometer of his performance until we go up against a team with an actual front line.

Really, really great to see. I have to say, I didn’t see the team coming together in the way it seems they have, near the end of the season. I guess a lot of it has to do with being patient with young players; also, Crawford…wow. Is anyone calling for EG and Flip to go now? I think they are proving themselves, too!

“I came out with a lot of effort,” Blatche said. “I wanted my teammates to follow off my energy.”

I think this has been one of the foremost issues with our team this year, that Blatche has been the alpha-dog in our ridiculously young lineup. Kirk Hinrich hadn’t been around long enough to be the true leader, and he’s Kirk freakin Hinrich. Who’s gonna listen to Hilton Armstrong? Gilbert Arenas was being pushed out the door, Howard hasn’t seen court time, Lewis hasn’t been around much at all. Wall has already said that being a rookie has been a detriment in sanctioning the lockerroom leadership that we will ultimately need from him.

And up until this point in the season, Blatche’s heart and effort has been grossly inconsistent. If the team has been following Blatche’s lead in influencing energy levels and commitment to such an extent, then we may have been even more leadership-deprived than previously recognized.
It seems like his recent time off the court has been the best possible thing for this franchise. It has allowed McGee to come into his own from underneath the shadow of Blatche; it has allowed Wall and someone like Mo Evans to step up in the much-needed leadership role; it has allowed a player like Crawford to be “the guy” and take more shots and gain confidence that will carry him through the offseason. And though it’s a ridiculously small sample size, it seems to have re-energized Blatche himself, who suddenly doesn’t have his playing time guaranteed, who isn’t necessarily the first or second or even third scoring option, who now has to prove himself just to ensure that he has a starting position NEXT year.

And it seems like the infectious energy of the team (helped by a player like Othyus) has even rubbed off on him, instead of having the diametrically opposite effect on the team as he had earlier in the year.

If Blatche can maintain this energy level, hustle, effort and commitment for the last 6 games, and he retains this same dedication via an offseason workout plan that gets his ass into the best shape of his career, then I would say that he very well may be a long-term piece afterall. Because it’s not his talent levels that are holding him back, just his own drive to be the best player that he can be

This is the real Andray Blatche.

I still believe it.

I still believe.

I still.

I, uh…..

whose motto should be “A team even the Wizards can’t lose to” shook Miami up and now they are desperate. I wonder which designated player will push Currys wheel chair around the court.