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The dreaded West Coast swing

Don't forget

March is going out like a lamb, and things are mostly good.  Six wins in our last seven games.  A 36-33 record that puts us a full game up on streaking Philadelphia for fifth place and just three games back of Cleveland for fourth.  A satisfying win over a Detroit team that may or may not have been trying.  A healthy Caron Butler, teamed with a torrid Antawn Jamison and a group of role players predominantly playing their best ball of the season.

Perhaps this narrative doesn't sound completely familiar, but there were similar good feelings last year at this time.  We weren't leading the East like we were in January, but we still had the Southeast lead, a Big 3 playing to their full potential, and a very good chance at advancing in the playoffs.  More importantly, we were coming off an outstanding win over New Orleans, which seemed to quench the fire developed from heartbreaking losses to the Knicks (Steve Francis game) and the Heat (Udonis Haslem on Antawn Jamison game).  This West Coast swing was to be the season's defining moment, where we either asserted ourselves in the Eastern Conference race or faded into the middle of the pack.

What happened?  I think we all know.


  • Portland 100, Washington 98.  Gilbert goes 4-16 in his return to Portland and air balls a wide-open layup that would have tied the game.
  • Washington 108, Seattle 106.  Gilbert bails the team out at the buzzer, but commenter Josh300 hit the nail on the head.  The fact that it took a buzzer beater to defeat a Sonics team missing Ray Allen sealed the Wizards fate as a pretender.
  • Golden State 135, Washington 128.  With the Warriors driving at will to the basket, Eddie Jordan decides the best philosophy is to put no interior defenders on the floor.  Also, the starters come out with a lack of concentration in the third and are outscored 38-21.
  • LA Clippers 111, Washington 105.  Once again, the third quarter proves to be the killer.  
  • Utah 103, Washington 97.  This had it all.  Blown third quarter lead.  Smallball in the fourth.  A missed defensive assignment leading to the dagger shot.

Five games.  Four losses.  Four games decided by seven points or less.  Five games in which the Wizards had a halftime lead.  Three losses to sub .500 teams, one to a Warriors squad just finding themselves, and one to a Jazz team that was struggling a bit.

Those five games were a microcosm of last season.  Even when we were leading the East, things were going a little too well.  We were allowing lesser teams to keep games close, and it finally took its toll.  We were struggling to put together consistent play, and we weren't playing defense.  Our offense, while effective, lacked organization, making it easy to stop when necessary, and our coach was tinkering heavily, looking for solutions in all the wrong places.  We all knew these things even when the team was winning, but they finally showed up during that West Coast swing.  When the team returned, they did so without the Southeast lead, and it's doubtful that they would have won a series even if they were all healthy.

So what happens this time around?  My guess is that if the trip is a microcosm of the entire season, like it was last year, we're in good shape.  This year's team doesn't have nearly as much talent, but they're more organized, play better defense, and have better coaching.  We give a more consistent level of play, whereas last year we may have had great stretches followed by awful stretches.  We don't have the talent, and we aren't going anywhere significant in the playoffs without more of it, but we're more prepared for gut checks like this.

The schedule once again is pretty tame, though the Lakers and Jazz loom at the end of the trip.  If we beat the teams we should, that'll put us at 3-2 and 39-35 overall.  No matter what happens with the Sixers and Raptors, I'm happy with that result.

Game thread of the first big test of the season to follow.  

0 recs  |  Comment 3 comments

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I'm just a little confused.
This year's team doesn't have the talent of last year's? I assume you are referring to Gil's absence, b/c otherwise I can't agree. This year we actually have a bench (healthy Songaila, much improved Blatche and Roger, athleticism in NY and Taser), and CB (when healthy), Haywood, and AJ have played out of their minds. I would argue that this year's team has at least as much talent as last year's. If you are saying that Gil is the reason we have less talent then I see your point - although I still can't totally agree.

Your other point though, that we are better coached/organized/defense-oriented, is definitely correct.

"My swag [is] phenomenal."

by Icantfeelmyface on Mar 25, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, that came out badly
I was referring to Arenas' absence, but yeah, I guess less talent is not exactly what I was referring to.

Although losing a guy like Arenas is a huge drain, and no improvements by the complimentary pieces can possibly replace his pure "talent."  

But still, that was phrased poorly.

Predicting how this squad is going to perform is like trying to solve trig problems with pen and paper. -sierradave.

by Mike Prada on Mar 25, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll Be at the Sonics Game Again This Year
Josh3000 here ... only, I had to change my username--Monroe71, man-- because I didn't remember my password from last year and my e-mails to your info line kept getting bounced and...

Anyway, I'll try to hit the nail on the head again this year with my  brilliant post game wrap up. I agree that this year's west coast road trip is the canary in the coal mine for the playoffs. I also agree that--despite the blow out in Portland--the Wizards are heading into the post season with more momentum and a sharper team. Jamison is a super star.  

I'll file my post game report with my friend Erica--who I'm dragging to the game-- from a bar in Queen Anne. Queen Anne is the Seattle neighborhood where the "not-worthy-of-the-NBA Key Arena" --according to David Stern--is. (Not worthy meaning the tax payers didn't want to dole out $500 million for a new one, given that the public is still bailing out the Sonics on the old deal to the tune of $2.3 million a year.)

Anyway, I'm psyched to see the Wiz live tonight.

by Monroe71 on Mar 26, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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