No Your Links: 12/3/07

by Jake Whitacre on Dec 3, 2007 10:22 PM EST in Links

Here's some links to read up on while you enjoy Abe Pollin Day...

It would be criminal not to start off by talking about Gilbert's new blog entry, where he continues to tell Wizards fans not to panic among other things.
While we're on the subject of Gilbert, Moonman thinks that the Wizards are having more fun without Arenas. I can't say that I agree with him, but it's worth mentioning.
One more Arenas link, this one comes from The New Republic who basically spreads the blame around for Gilbert re-injuring his knee:

In fact, it was easy to foresee this might happen. Arenas was clearly still hurting. He had the knee drained twice in the course of a couple weeks and iced it more or less constantly. Moreover, the Wizards' early schedule was extremely punishing, with several back-to-backs and stretches of three games in four nights. An opposing star, Jason Kidd, even publicly urged Arenas to get a second medical opinion and be careful about playing too many minutes. Yet despite all this, Jordan played his star guard just shy of 40 minutes a game. Though he was visibly hobbled, Arenas played 40 minutes in a 20-point blowout to the Celtics and 37 minutes in a 26-point loss to the Nuggets on the second day of a back-to-back. For a while, he was actually leading the entire league in minutes-per-game. Can anyone be surprised that he re-tore the surgically repaired meniscus in his knee?
Sam Rubenstein was at the Wizards-Raptors and he took some game notes, the best one (in my mind) was this nugget:

This is only my second game covering the Wizards for SLAM but if Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler aren't All-Stars then we have failed as basketball fans. Butler has 15 at the break; Jamison has 12. More importantly, they are efficient. Straws finished the half 6-of-11 from the field; Jamison is 4-of-8. For the season, Straws is sitting at .525 and Jamison is .427.
AOL Fanhouse is impressed with how the Antawn Jamison has stepped it up in Gilbert's absence. The Wizznutzz are also impressed and added this stirring commentary on his game:
"Meantime Antwan "Antawn" Jamison is scoring for 2 men. Ive never seen such an amazing variety of looping layins: Runners, Floaters, Finger Rolls, Tear Drops, Giant Killers, Soft Bombs, Rainbow Pots, Chip Shots, Silver Horseshoes, Hanging Judges, Til Tuesdays, Tender Mercies, Creeping Cheesewheels, Raised Eyebrows, Drag Chutes, Broken Slinkys, Randy QBerts, Johnny Reboulets...."

In summary: Antawn Jamison = Hot, Jerry Stackhouse = Cold, cold, cold
What do you know, someone else hates JC Navarro.
Would you trade Etan Thomas for Damon Stoudamire?
DC Pro Sports Report previews the Wizards upcoming off-season.
The word of the day is "excited."
Les Bullez talks about The Pearl.
There are still people that think the Heat will make the playoffs over the Wizards.
Speaking of players from the Fab Five, it looks like Chris Webber had a fan from back at his days at Michigan. I'd ask you to guess who it was, but I'm pretty sure that no one would ever pick Bill Clinton.
Is that Jeff Ruland?
Here's a good reason to spend a little more time studying.

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Comments

why was GA playing all those minutes

It's like EJ was worried about his job.

by billyjoe on Dec 4, 2007 1:41 AM EST reply actions

Ha!

Althoug, I have to admit, its been the only knock I've had against EJ all season. Too bad its such a big one - you would think its pretty obvious that you need to manage the minutes of your best player after he comes back from knee surgery. No matter how good Gil says he feels.

The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.

by mamemimo on Dec 4, 2007 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

What Do You Expect?

I've actually had a lot of "knocks" against EJ this season, albeit mostly during the season-opening losing streak. Regardless, he remains one of the worst coaches in the league when it comes to substitutions. His decisions to consistently overplay the Big 3 have not only contributed to Gilbert re-injuring his knee but have also led to the Wizards being too tired to put games away in the fourth quarter.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 4, 2007 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

That's true...

...but compare his sub patterns this year to last year. People seem to have more defined roles, and Nick Young is striving in his role as the instant energy.

The one instance I would like to point out is the Minnesota game where Jamison was killing the offense late in the third and early in the fourth. EJ did what I never expected him to do, he benched Jamison for the rest of the game. He never would have done that last year.

Look, I'm not saying he's a good coach, but he's definitely been better than last year.

The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.

by mamemimo on Dec 4, 2007 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

I Won't Argue About Minnesota

That was one game that I believe he did a good job on. Yet he still seems to overwork the Big 2 (in most games) and give way too many minutes to guys like R.M.Jr (yes, I saw the Raptors game, but still) instead of increasing the roles of developing players like Nick Young and D-Mac.

I also worry that he is overworking AD, who everybody here has said we cannot afford to lose.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 4, 2007 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

I can't believe I'm actually defending EJ

Its a double edged sword here, because we're so understaffed right now. Mason is really our only option at backup PG, and he's not a good one. It sucks. The way to get AD less minutes is to play Mason more and the way to get Mason minutes is to play AD more. We're screwed either way.

As far as Nick Young and D-Mac go, I agree with you. As depleted as we are right now, he shouldn't be getting any DNPs. But, D-Mac hasn't really shown me anything that great yet, and PT needs to be earned with rookies.

Nick Young should probably get some more minutes too, but he's thriving right now in his Eddie House-style, hired gun role. He still makes rookie mistakes and his D needs work. Also, he does not handle the ball well enough to play the point.

I think these issues will shore themselves up in time, as the players get better, but I don't think any of the rookies is ready for big (well, 20-25) minutes yet.

Really, we just should have signed Brian Chase in the preseason. EJ's sub patterns have been much better and make a lot more sense this season. We'll see how long he keeps it up.

The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.

by mamemimo on Dec 5, 2007 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

The Jami Jam

I need a salary cap specialist to tell me what we can offer Jamison after this year. If we're capped out now and both Jamison and Arenas are going to be looking for raises, I don't see em both coming back. Before the season, I was more than ready to open the door and watch the ultimate tweener walk. But now I'm not so sure.

As Moonman said, this team is proving it can function competitively w/out GA. But I remember a long losing streak last year when Jamison got hurt b4 the Butler and Arenas season-enders. He's as big a nightmare on offense for other teams as he is a trainwreck for us defensively. Plus, his leadership is unreal. I don't normally put such stock in this intangible, but the guy is un-rattleable and it has filtered to the rest of the team.

Of course, I'm not saying we should throw all our money (provided we have any) at AJ and ignore GA. First off, he's getting long in the tooth. Secondly, even when he's playing great, Jamison still disappears down the stretch. Say what you want about Gilbert, but there's no doubt he's in the top 4 of "guys to get the ball to with the game on the line." The other 3 in my book are Kobe, Carmelo, and Horry (Nobody on this blog should argue for Lebron. His "gamewinners" against us in Round 1 two years ago were crimes committed by crooked referees.) Also, GA's proven that he can take over games and win. Jamison can take over some games, but I don't remember us winning any of em.

So, to recap this ramble, all Wiz fans know this upcoming summer is decision time for the franchise. But with every good AJ game, I think those decisions get more complicated.

by jvflail on Dec 4, 2007 2:12 PM EST reply actions

I agree about AJ's intangibles

But there is no way AJ is getting a raise. He's making a lot this year, but do to his age will definitely be getting less next year. Some of the difference can be given to Gil, who will be earning a lot more next year. DC Pro Sports Report, has a good, but short, article on this in the links above.

by Aldo on Dec 4, 2007 3:45 PM EST up reply actions