Game Hub | Boxscore | Game Flow

Butler Jumper Caps Wizards Comeback - Dave Johnson, CSN Washington

The swagger was back for Caron Butler. In the second-half Butler scored 29 of his season- high 31-points including a baseline jumper from 19 feet that proved to be the game-winner. Butler’s shot with .5 seconds left was the answer to the Magic’s Rashard Lewis’ three –pointer that had put the Magic up 91-90 with 4.6 seconds remaining.

With trade rumors swirling, Butler has best game - Michael Lee, Wizards Insider

It's been a while since Butler was in a rhythm like he was in Orlando, where he shot 10 for 16 and scored 29 points in the second half. He was repeatedly blowing by Vince Carter, Matt Barnes and Mickael Pietrus for layups, or pulling up over them for jumpers. "We tried all three of our bigger wing guys on Butler," Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He killed them all." "It was by far his best game overall," said Coach Flip Saunders, who met with Butler for about 15 minutes on Thursday. "We had a little talk in the weight room, just about leadership and taking charge and trying to be more of a vocal leader and not taking a step back, but taking a step forward. He was very receptive. He said he was going to relish the opportunity to step up and do that."

Washington Wizards 92, Orlando Magic 91 - Ben Q. Rock, Orlando Pinstriped Post

This loss is just Orlando's 5th at Amway Arena, and second that went down to the final shot, meaning the Magic could just as easily hold a 21-3 home record instead of its current 19-5 one. But that's besides the point: the Magic frittered a 21-point lead away against what had been the 14th-ranked team in the Eastern Conference (the win, coupled with Detroit's loss, moved the Wizards to 13th). Only the historically awful New Jersey Nets kept Washington from occupying the East's cellar. The Magic should be able to hold a lead of that size against any team, but especially one as bad as Washington. I'm speaking ill of the Wizards' season in general when I call them "bad." Against the Magic, they've been spectacular, with a 2-0 record and 2 come-from-behind wins.

Continue reading this post »

It's about time you returned, Tuff Juice.  We missed you.  Thanks for coming back for at least one game.

Let's be honest: one win in February like this should not be enough to save this team.  They've had their run, it was unsatisfactory, and now we need to rebuild like every team does.  One need only look at the Detroit Pistons to see what happens when you try to rebuild while also remaining competitive.  

That said, if this was the parting gift for this core, it was one hell of a parting gift.  It's not easy to sit through rebuilding, but it's even harder to sit through the pre-rebuild.  This has easily been the most difficult basketball-watching experience I've had in my life, and I'm sure that's also true for people much older than me.  That said, we still watch for those times when we can cheer and be happy about the silly hobby we pour too many hours into.  Tonight was one of those nights.  

I hope I'll always remember this game as the last banner moment for the Arenas/Butler/Jamison/Haywood Wizards. For all the Wizards who participated in this moment tonight, thank you.  Thank you for not giving up when you really should have.  Thank you, Caron Butler, for going back to what you were, even if you should have gone back way earlier.  Thank you to Randy Foye for making plays.  Thank you to everyone who fought hard on defense.  As a Wizards fan who has experienced this difficult year, thanks for at least giving me (and others) one happy moment this season.

The Essentials:

Wizards (16-32) vs. Magic (33-16)
7 p.m.
Amway Arena
TV: CSN+
Radio: 106.7 The Fan

Notable Magic numbers this season

3rd in expected winning percentage (.689)
15th in pace (92.8 possessions per game)
12th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (108.4 points/100 possessions)
5th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (102.7 points allowed/100 possessions)

Pre-game links

Orlando Pinstriped Post, SB Nation's Magic Blog
Orlando Magic Daily
Howard The Dunk
Magic BasketBlog
Wizards Insider: Otis Smith talks Gilbert Arenas
Comcast Sports Net: Mike Jones on Caron Butler's season-long issues
OPP's game preview
Brandon Bass frustrated by his PT
GameDay Orlando

I'm having trouble mustering up the enthusiasm to write much for these threads anymore, and the snow is depressing me, so this will be quick.

I'll only encourage you read two things: Michael Lee's post on Otis Smith, in which Smith responds to rumors suggesting his relationship with Gilbert Arenas means he'll pursue Arenas after his suspension by saying he's "not necessarily sure," or something; and Mike Jones' report on Caron Butler.  There's a particular line in Jones' report where he writes that the Wizards charted Butler in catch-and-shoot opportunities and found he was much better than Butler expected, yet Butler continues to play how he's played all year.  Sorry to make everyone angry again.

The Wizards beat Orlando a few weeks ago, but that was a different Magic team.  I think they've righted the ship by now, though obviously some chemistry questions linger.  Clearly, Orlando hasn't come together as easily as many (including me) expected, but they're still second in the East, with the third-best expected winning percentage in the league.  They've crushed Atlanta three times and taken two of three from Boston, so no East team wants to see them in the playoffs.  Just imagine what could happen when they really find their stride.

GO WIZARDS!

More photos » Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

Browse more photos »

I harbor absolutely no ill will toward Antawn Jamison.  In point of fact, one thing that's become a bit more clear from covering the team more in-person is the intangible benefit his presence provides.  He plays through pain, rarely complains about it, talks to the media about all the off-court drama so nobody else (namely, Caron Butler) has to and squeezes as much as he can out of his talent.  That's not to say people get carried away sometimes praising his virtues when he's obviously not perfect, but by and large, Antawn Jamison is not what's wrong with this team.

That said, Antawn Jamison's time in DC is up.  It was arguably up last season -- I remember arguing that then -- but at least the Wizards could rationally believe that Gilbert Arenas would come back, everyone's injuries would go away and they could make one more run toward semi-contention.  At this point, though, there's little justification for keeping him beyond the trade deadline.  All this hand-wringing with the Cavaliers better be just the typical negotiating that teams do two weeks before the trade deadline, and not a sign that Jamison is here to stay. 

Below the jump, six reasons why Jamison has to be moved right now.

Continue reading this post »