Even though the Wizards lost their last regular season game tonight, we can rest knowing that we'll see them again in the playoffs and next season.  Sadly, not all NBA fans can rest tonight with the same promise.

I'm sure that most of you are well aware of the everything going on with the Sonics and their possible move to Oklahoma City next season.  Like most of you, I think it's an absolute shame that David Stern is just letting Clay Bennett uproot such a storied team without lifting a finger in defense.  All the progress that's been made this season in the NBA will be for naught if they let this move go down.  A level of trust that the NBA has developed with its fans will be irrevocably broken because fans will know that not one team is safe from relocation.  Not one.

If you're looking for more information or if you just want to show your support, check out Sonics Central and Save Our Sonics.

Note: Scroll down for the game thread.

This is just a notice that I created a Bullets Forever March Madness pool on Yahoo.  ID is 166747, password is wizards.

Sign up.  Winner gets a free ticket to the Steinz/Wilbon backyard brawl.  

I'll have a diary for anyone to post tournament-related thoughts (picks, observations, guys you'd love to see on the Wizards next year, etc.) up soon.  It'll run throughout the duration of the month.

Sign up!

Here's 10 things I think I think:

• Read this article NOW.  Don't ask why, just read it and you'll thank me later.  Trust me.
  
• I mentioned this in the comments last night, and I'll say it again: It's a good thing that Nick Young wasn't in the contest this year because there was no way Dwight Howard was going to be denied last night.  He had way more magistrashun than anyone else out there, including Gerald Green who probably could've won more than half the contests in dunk contest history last night with his performance.
  
• As I look at the final video of all the Antawn Jamison photos that have been collected, I get the feeling that you're either going to love it or hate it.  You'll be able to decide for yourselves tomorrow.
  
• There was a play in the Wizards-Suns game where I could've swore McGuire and Blatche both tried to put back a miss by Jamison.  Even though neither of them converted, I couldn't help but think "Their nickname should be the Crash Brothers."  Am I the only one that thinks this?
  
• In hindsight, when Stan Van Gundy said that Dwight Howard was putting too much focus on the "offensive end" maybe he was really trying to tell him to stop practicing for the dunk contest so much.  Whatever the case, I'm pretty sure that Dwight was right.
  
• With Mike Bibby heading to Atlanta, Gilbert and Caron really need to get healthy quickly (without rushing of course) to make sure that the Wizards don't drop any further in the standings.  The Hawks are only 2.5 games back and the Wizards have a lot of hard game left in this final stretch.
  
• Just how bad is this final stretch?  We still have to play Cleveland, New Orleans, Houston, Toronto, Orlando, the Lakers, Utah, Portland, Detroit, and Orlando again.  As bad as that sounds, it gets worse once you realize that all of those game are on the road.
  
• According to Ball Don't Lie, Antawn Jamison took on a busload of seven year olds in basketball.  I'm not sure if holding them two points is a good thing or a bad thing but I'm going to go with good.  I'd would've loved to see that as it went down, but I would've out and out paid to see him in this situation.
  
• The Hawks trade still scares me, but at least it makes the last 3 months where I've had Bibby mired on my bench worth it.
  
• Young vs. Moon in the dunk contest will be well worth the price of admission.  There might not be any birthday cakes, but it'll still be sweet.
  

Over the last few weeks, I've gotten into the flow of either having a recap from a Saturday game or a game thread for a Sunday game that needed to be done for Sunday.  With neither of those necessary for today, I figured today would be a good day to bring out the time honored open discussion thread.  Here are some questions to get started, but as always, feel free diverge from the topic if needed:

1. Gilbert Arenas told Mike Wise after the Wizards-Knicks game that he was thinking about coming off the bench when he returns.  Good idea or bad idea?  Here's Ivan's thoughts.
2. I went to Borders a few weeks back and bought Mitchell Krugel's book One Last Shot about MJ's comeback with the Wizards.  Has anyone else ready it?  What are your thoughts?  I've only gotten through the first few chapters, which seem to be focused more on his Chicago days but hopefully it picks up soon.  Just remember, there's no fear of spoiling the ending when you discuss the book.
3. Fill in the blank Part 1: Maryland's upset of UNC was...
4. Fill in the blank Part 2: Deron Washington's dunk was...
5. Since we're talking about college basketball, I suppose we might as well talk about the draft a little.  What type of player do you think the Wizards should look to get with their pick, and who do you think fits the billing?  If you're trying to get a feel for some of the prospects out there, check out DC Pro Sports Report's Mock Draft Database.
6. In case you didn't hear, there's a couple of football games on today.  Who ya got?

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

I think it's fair to say that the gift aspect of the holiday season is not time-specific.  It can occur before December 25, and I think it's not too unfair to suggest it can occur afterwards, at least up until the new year.

Still, I imagine most of the Wizards opened their presents yesterday.  Below the jump, here's one guy's guess as to what they received.  

Continue reading this post »

I'm out of commission today due to gobs of schoolwork.  Jake's hopefully going to take care of the recap/game thread later.

Apologies.

Sometimes, things happen that are far more important than sports.  

Just a terrible tragedy.  Our hearts and prayers go out to Taylor's family.

There's plenty of time to analyze Gilbert's injury, and believe me, tomorrow's post is going to be very comprehensive.  

For now, though, it's Thanksgiving, so I hope everyone has a really good holiday.  Forget basketball, and enjoy time spent with family.

For those who do go on here, what Wizards-related things are you thankful for?  Start the list in the comments.  

Pat Riley rates the Heat's play this season.
(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Here's what Pat Riley had to say about his team after an embarrassing 91-76 loss to the Bobcats, which dropped the team to 1-6 for the season:

Ouch!  Now, if you can make it through the day without trying to envision what Eddie Jordan would look like suiting up for the Wizards, more power to you.  If you can't, pack a light lunch.