Wizards 111, Sixers 108

by Mike Prada on Mar 29, 2007 2:56 AM EDT in Recaps

You realize that this shot was the difference in the game? Talk about luck.

Hey Pradamaster, what about me? (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Oh right, sorry. As much as Caron's energy and surprisingly solid performance was key, this really was DeShawn Stevenson's coming out party. The Sixers basically focused lots of defensive attention on Gilbert Arenas, and Stevenson made them pay, shooting 11 of 18 for 26 points. Not only that, but with the exception of the fourth quarter, Stevenson really held Kyle Korver in check. With Arenas in foul trouble, Antawn Jamison struggling, and the two big men playing awfully, Stevenson really won the Wizards this game.

It begs the question, once again. Stevenson has already announced that he plans to opt out of his veteran's minimum contract and become an unrestricted free agent. The Wizards aren't exactly loaded with cap space, and Abe Pollin is probably the last owner in sports willing to go over the luxury tax threshold. How much is Ernie Grunfeld willing to pay to keep DeShawn around? Don't forget that there needs to be enough money left over to sign Andray Blatche, a restricted free agent, and enough money for a first-round pick.

The thing with DeShawn is that he tends to float from game-to-game. I tend to hate the term "inconsistency," because it's usually used as an argument-ender rather than an argument-starter, but DeShawn really is inconsistent. In his last 6 games, he's scored 17, 2, 8, 5, 21, and 26 points. He sometimes plays great defense, but there are also games like in Portland where Brandon Roy absolutely went off. For a guy who's seemingly the closest thing this team has to a "glue guy," that's a far bigger problem than usual.

Still, there are games like tonight where you can't imagine the Wizards winning without him. And considering how awfully everyone else played, it's crazy how a guy making less than a million a year saved the team.

Needless to say, this offseason is going to be very interesting.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

What about Deshawn?

Pradamaster, I thought this post was interesting so I linked to it and discussed it at DC Sports Blog. [I'm a good boy so no links on your site. :^)] Anyway, my view is that it's a matter of priorities and although I like Deshawn a lot -- increasingly so -- I think the Bullets may and should have somewhat different priorities.

Satan is pleased with your progress.

by Spence on Mar 29, 2007 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

You bring up a good point

Because he's been the only Wizard other than Arenas who's consistently in the lineup, he's been asked to compensate for injuries offensively, and that's affecting him.

Still, for a guy who should be the team's do-everything glue, you'd like to see a little more consistent production.

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

by Mike Prada on Mar 29, 2007 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I'm undecided

The potential with Deshawn is he makes the team better defensively and, when the big 3 are hitting shots, he's willing to accept the role of 4th option and still comes up big when teams cheat off of him. A few months ago, this "big 4," if you will, was what made the team so unstoppable. I don't think the wizards will do much better at the 2, particularly because Gilbert needs the rock to be effective -- they're not going to move him to that spot -- and there just aren't enough touches in the game for a real shooting two-guard.

The problem though is that I don't see the existing squad going much further than it already is. We don't have a lot of exciting young rooks who could blossom in the near future -- Blatche being the one exception. If this offseason amounts to resigning Deshawn and Andray, plus picking up a project in the late first round who will struggle for minutes all next year, I don't see the Wizards particularly scaring anyone.

The question is "what else could they do?" It's not like this is a team lacking in chemistry or anything; no team in the league has more fun together. And Etan and Brendan's salaries are going to be a millstone around the team's neck for years to come. I think the top priority this offseason might be resolving that situation at center, and if that includes the money that would have gone to resigning DeShawn, I'll be able to live with that.

by sierradave on Mar 29, 2007 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

Player development

Blatche is a huge exception, don't you think? A good young big man can make a huge difference in the quality of a team and he doesn't have to be Tim Duncan to do it, especially if he plays with other guys like Arenas and Caron. Blatche has made real strides this year and acquitted himself well during his stretch as a starter. His improvement next season could be impressive.

Meanwhile, there is always OPec. He'll be over here next season and he could also be a big help. This team needs more production from its big men. Just so happens that our two kids are big kids. If they develop nicely, the sky is the limit for this squad.

DC Sports Blog -- www.dcsportsblog.blogspot.com

by Spence on Mar 29, 2007 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but keep in mind

We're talking about a mid-first round pick in a crappy draft and a late second-rounder.

They COULD develop, but it's not like Blatche and O-Pec are can't-miss prospects. Blatche is a promising youngster that still is extremely raw. I'd love to see him develop, but he really is the only guy, and I don't think he's ever going to be a superstar big guy. A better version of Jared Jeffries, certainly, but I don't think we can expect much else.

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

by Mike Prada on Mar 29, 2007 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

crappy draft?

i wouldnt call this draft class crappy, in fact some people call it great. Ive kind of done a mock draft, and right now it has the wizards picking corey brewer at #21, which would be a steal.

by joshp on Mar 29, 2007 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions