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Open thread: Preseason game 1


Preseason Game 1:
Wizards (0-0) vs. Cavaliers (0-0):
Quicken Loans Arena
7 p.m.
Comcast Sports Net (webcast can be found here)

I don't know about you, but after four and a half months, I'm just excited to watch any Wizards basketball, even if it is the preseason.  And seriously, how badly do you guys want to beat Cleveland.  I hate those guys, seriously.

I mean, with all due respect to LeBron, who's easily the most talented player in basketball, can we stop hearing about his "new and improved" mid-range jumper?  Showing it in FIBA play is one thing, showing it in the NBA is another entirely.  And as much as I respect their ability to defend, that offense is downright painful.  As a fan of the NBA, it makes me cringe to see them waste the most incredible offensive talent in the league.

The good news is that one of the team's major annoyances, Anderson Varejao, won't play, thanks to contract issues.  Karma is what karma gets, my friend.

For the good guys, Gilbert Arenas is still a game-time decision after recovering from knee surgery.  I guess I'm okay with him not playing, though I wonder how he could play without any problems at Barry Farms and suddenly can't play here.  Obviously, his health is the most important thing, but it doesn't really do the team much good to play in the preseason without him.  

Meanwhile, we're still not sure about the status of Etan Thomas, but he's definitely out for tonight's game.

Cavaliers sites: Yay! Sports, Cavalier Attitude.

So what are we looking for here?  Here's a couple things I want to see.


  • Dominic McGuire vs. Lebron James: I would love, love, love to see those two guys match up at some points.  It'll certainly be a good first test for a rookie we have a lot of hopes for.
  • Rebounding: Cleveland was arguably the league's best all-around rebounding team last year, ranking third in offensive rebound percentage and second in defensive rebound percentage.  Thomas, the Wizards' best rebounder, won't play, so the onus is on Brendan Haywood to step up his rebounding.  I'm also interested to see how O-Pec rebounds.  He threw his body around in summer league, but wasn't all that successful in doing so.  This will be a good test for him.
  • DeShawn and Caron (and Gilbert) dropping weight: All three of those guys lost weight this summer.  Did it make them stronger, quicker, or just weaker?  
  • Nick Young: The rookie has struggled in the preseason, so this is the first chance we really get to see how much he plays.  Needless to say, I'm going to be watching that closely.
  • Defense: Oh yeah, duh.

This is an open game thread (our first!), so discuss how Gilbert would never display city disloyalty here.

0 recs  |  Comment 25 comments

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Gil
Gilbert says he wants to play 30 minutes tonight...I'll put my money on 0-4 minutes.

by White President on Oct 9, 2007 6:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'll guess 7
But he keeps his warmups on the whole time.
Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by JakeTheSnake on Oct 9, 2007 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gil
Gilbert looks like he is favoring one leg.  Doesn't look the same as last year.  Especially on D.

by White President on Oct 9, 2007 7:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

LeBron isn't wearing his Yankees hat on court
Dang.
Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by JakeTheSnake on Oct 9, 2007 7:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Gil goes 1-8 from the first quarter
Gnuhhhhhhh.
Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by JakeTheSnake on Oct 9, 2007 7:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

*for the first quarter
Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by JakeTheSnake on Oct 9, 2007 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

painful
Hope the rookies play better than the starters. That was awful.
Good defense on both sides I guess!!

by hotplate on Oct 9, 2007 7:46 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

much better!
Second team is looking good.
The fan base in Cleveland (and Lebron) can't be very happy with the Cavs' offseason. Absolutely no moves to improve the team. Not that I'm complaining.

by hotplate on Oct 9, 2007 7:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Gil
He seems to have warmed up the leg a bit.  Looking much better.

by White President on Oct 9, 2007 8:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Gilbert with a buzzer beater
Shocking.  Just shocking.
Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by JakeTheSnake on Oct 9, 2007 8:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Blatche
Did you see Blatche & Haywood go up for same rebound.  When Blatche didn't get it he just stood out of bounds.  Didn't even half hustle/jog to get back in bounds.  Anyone else think that didn't look right.

by White President on Oct 9, 2007 8:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Blatche
But he looked good starting the break with the outlet pass and finishing it with the dunk.

by hotplate on Oct 9, 2007 8:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Blatche
Yeah he looks much better so far this year.  I'm excited.  He just  seems to have a slow/lazy demeanor.

by White President on Oct 9, 2007 8:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This is nice
27 percent shooting for Cleveland...it's only preseason, but damn, that's outstanding.

Love the way Blatche and Haywood are playing.  

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Oct 9, 2007 8:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Donnell Taylor
Bad sequence for Donnell. Turnover, followed by 2 missed shots, followed by a turnover following a steal. He's been the only guy who's touched the ball on the last 4 possessions.

by hotplate on Oct 9, 2007 9:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah
Donnell cannot play point guard.  This much has become evident.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Oct 9, 2007 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

miles
why didnt we dump taylor for aaron miles? miles was so good in summer league, and hes a pure PG

by joshp on Oct 10, 2007 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Because
Miles got a guaranteed contract in Europe for way more than we could offer him.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Oct 10, 2007 3:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think it's safe to say
That O-Pec and D-Mac are upgrades over Calvin Booth and Michael Ruffin.

As for Nick Young and Jarvis Hayes...eh, not so sure.

Loving Blatche though, he looks like a beast out there.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Oct 9, 2007 9:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think it's also safe to say
Taser>>>>>>Hayes(er)
Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by JakeTheSnake on Oct 9, 2007 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's gonna stick!
Although we gotta make sure we've got the right monikers on the right rooks.

Young=Laser
McGuire=Taser

Either > Hayes(er)

"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."

by Vanilla Gorilla on Oct 10, 2007 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

cavs
whats the deal with varejao and pavlovic not being with the team? are they not under contract right now?

by joshp on Oct 10, 2007 2:25 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Bingo
They were restricted free agents this summer, and nobody has offered them a contract, so Cleveland has basically just done nothing with them.  They really have no options now, except for taking the one-year qualifying offer and becoming UFAs next summer.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Oct 10, 2007 3:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I missed most of the game
But I saw a few minutes of the 3rd and fourth quarters. Didn't catch any of the starters playing, but I did see Donell Taylor make poor decisions and selfishly throw up awful shots. Sure, he's got some serious talent, but he's been on the team 3 years and looks as if he still has no clue how to play basketball. He's like a tiny version of Kwame Brown. Ugh.

McGuire looked terrific on a knifing move the basket. I think I'm really gonna like that kid. Don't Tase me, bro!

"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."

by Vanilla Gorilla on Oct 10, 2007 9:20 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So by the transitive property
The Wizards are the presumptive Eastern Conference champs now, right?  I fully expect a post on this later today.

by crucifictorious on Oct 10, 2007 12:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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