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Well that didn't take long, did it? Two games, two losses, including Friday's particularly dispiriting home opener against the supposedly-tanking Philadelphia 76ers, and the internet is already through with the totally playoff-bound Washington Wizards. Up next are the defending champion Miami Heat, who are probably miffed after starting the season 0-2, on the road, so things should totally get better from here.
But the home opener started so promising. We were all so relieved to learn within the last 24 hours that Nene's latest nagging injury was NBD, and that he'd totally play against the Sixers.
It's game time. #wizards still haven't officially made a decision, but Nene's suit lets me know that he's made a decision.
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 1, 2013
Nene has his leg wrapped up like he fractured it, smh. Its hurt dude. Talk about over dramatization.
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 1, 2013
Just ran into #Nene in tunnel. Gave me a fist bump. As Hannibal told the Senator in Silence of the Lambs: "Love ur suit" #WizardsTalk #NBA
— J. Michael (@JMichaelCSN) November 1, 2013
No Nene. The saddest use of multi-syllables in a row starting with N's in sports since "No, No, Nanette."
— Joseph White Jr. (@JGWhiteAP) November 1, 2013
I bet Nene faked sick a ton as a kid
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) November 1, 2013
Almost? RT @adammcginnis: Almost fitting that Nene gets announced & comes out in street clothes
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 1, 2013
"Suit & Tie" : Nenê
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) November 1, 2013
Perfect. RT @JMichaelCSN: Being introduced, the most action #Nene gets tonite #WizardsTalk #NBA #WizSixers pic.twitter.com/tNEScOiRE0
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) November 1, 2013
Spoiler alert: You guys are very upset with Nene. Either that, or Oscar Schmidt has hacked all your Twitter accounts.
At least the rest of the pregame introductions were awesome, right?
Tip off from the first Wizards home game of the season. pic.twitter.com/8JZSbtr9Lm
— Satchsquatch (@SatchelPrice) November 1, 2013
So probably not a sellout for the #Wizards home opener ...
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 1, 2013
Still experiencing chills from John Wall's address to the fans.
— Jack Kogod (@Unsilent) November 1, 2013
Jan Vessely is introduced to Jay-Z's "Tom Ford" which is like introducing my Yaris to "Maybach Music."
— Doc Funk (@docfunk) November 1, 2013
I can't think of a less inspiring ceremony to usher out the team. Loud music. Smoke & all. But crowd was chillaxing #wizards
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 1, 2013
It's a #SoWizards introduction https://t.co/MJuTqjj9L8
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) November 1, 2013
Welp. How'd the actual game go?
John Wall 3 ball #wizards
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 1, 2013
Wall three. Ill take it.
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 1, 2013
Wall three?
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) November 1, 2013
John Wall Watergate, WATCH OUT
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 1, 2013
A threeee for @John_Wall! His first shot of the night goes, #Wizards with an early 5-2 lead over #Sixers #WizSixers
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) November 1, 2013
This Sixers/Wizards game will blind thousands.
— Michael Levin (@Michael_Levin) November 1, 2013
HUMAN DERECHO!
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 1, 2013
John Wall: Welcome to the NBA Rook
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 1, 2013
John Wall looks PISSED. All that Magic Carter-Williams talk got under his skin.
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 1, 2013
Wizards showing some serious life early with this crowd getting into things a bit.
— Satchsquatch (@SatchelPrice) November 1, 2013
WALL IS FEELING IT!!!
— The Ball Hogs (@BallHogsRadio) November 1, 2013
Wall is taking it to Carter-Williams... 12 pts. Just hit his 2nd 3. Harrassing him on defense into bad shots #WizardsTalk #NBA
— J. Michael (@JMichaelCSN) November 1, 2013
Holy crap John is pumped
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) November 1, 2013
John Wall DOMINATION told y'all
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 1, 2013
Hahahahaha what is this?
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 1, 2013
JOHN WALL
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) November 1, 2013
Are you allowed to take consecutive heat checks? Because John Wall did just that and hit both shots. 17-6 Wizards
— Rashad Mobley (@rashad20) November 1, 2013
Wall comes off the court after scoring 12 points in six minutes and the crowd absolutely EXPLODES. I literally got goose bumps.
— Satchsquatch (@SatchelPrice) November 1, 2013
This is Grizzlies Wall.
— William Stokes (@William_Stokes) November 1, 2013
JWALL NO XCUSES DOUGIE DOUGIE DOUGIE DOUGIE yi[fiu9f0w90ufwjiorjoverjioweriojvwv90iw9er-4tgsrgeeaag3t3t3
— wizznutzz (@wzzntzz) November 1, 2013
So John Wall is suddenly killing it... has 12 points in game's 1st 5.5 minutes... the Verizon Center is awake now.
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 1, 2013
John Wall is making 3's, beating his chest and talking to Michael Carter-Williams. Look out, rook. #WizardsTalk
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 1, 2013
BUT WALL CAN’T SHOOT!!!
— Seth Pollack (@sethpo) November 1, 2013
CONFIDENT JOHN WALL ALERT
— Jack Kogod (@Unsilent) November 1, 2013
Well deserved standing ovation on that timeout call. This energy DID NOT exist in Detroit.
— The Ball Hogs (@BallHogsRadio) November 1, 2013
This looks eerily similar to the Memphis game.
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) November 1, 2013
I haven't heard Verizon Center this loud for a Wizards game in a long time. Wall is on fire.
— Mike Herson (@mrherson) November 1, 2013
Wallin'. 5/5 from the field, 2/2 from beyond the arc for 13 points. #WizardsTalk #WizSixers
— CSN Washington (@CSNwashington) November 1, 2013
John Wall is out here balling. He's got 12 pts already. Made 2 3s. Threw down a dunk. Beating chest. PHI calls timeout. #wizards lead 17-6
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 1, 2013
First game I covered last season was Wall's 47-point game against Memphis. First game I cover this season might be similarly awesome.
— Satchsquatch (@SatchelPrice) November 1, 2013
Wizards have no intention of letting the Sixers control this division!
— Seth Pollack (@sethpo) November 1, 2013
John Wall has a 3-ball.
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) November 1, 2013
John Wall may never miss this season! pic.twitter.com/HNXrVqOwUI
— Cindy Boren (@CindyBoren) November 1, 2013
I can't stop smiling, haha. Kill 'em, Johnny! #JDUBYAONFIYA
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 1, 2013
SO XCITE!!! we beatin we chests like Jwall!!!! (intern ken is too but that cuz he a Prelature of Opus Dei !!!!!)
— wizznutzz (@wzzntzz) November 1, 2013
John Wall on fire, 13 points in 1Q https://t.co/F4vfBDZq5I
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) November 1, 2013
Oh look, it is the Dougie Game, SUCK IT COWHERD
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 1, 2013
May want to cover John Wall with some John Wallpaper. Yes, it contains Chinese lead, but its effective.
— Doc Funk (@docfunk) November 1, 2013
John Wall with 10 points in a 55-second span. If he could keep up that pace, he would have the NBA's first 480-point game.
— Joseph White Jr. (@JGWhiteAP) November 1, 2013
John Wall hitting 3's. Great. As my friend @JFrankHanrahan says.... "Early snow".....
— Bill Rohland (@BillRohland) November 1, 2013
John Wall with another jumper. Now 6-6 from the field. Yeah, he's feeling it NBA Jam style. http://t.co/WaDUeIjIOJ #Wizards
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 1, 2013
This is nice.
— Conor Dirks (@ConorDDirks) November 1, 2013
That inside-out dribble by Wall in transition to draw two people to him was beautiful. Much more controlled.
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 1, 2013
Wall played that fastbreak perfectly. Beal faded to the corner, Wall hit MCW with a beautiful hesitation
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) November 1, 2013
John Wall to Bradley Beal for the corner 3 was quite nice & quite inevitable on that break. #Wizards up 24-11 on #Sixers, Wall has 15 pts.
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 1, 2013
John Wall drive, Bradley Beal corner three. Yeah, sure, I'll take 12 more years of this.
— Noam Schiller (@noamschiller) November 1, 2013
Oh, sweet. Awesome start. What could possible go wrong from here?
John "Man on Fire" Wall grabs a seat after scoring 15 pts on 6-6 FGs. #wizards
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 1, 2013
Wittman pulled Wall. What the hell?
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 1, 2013
I like taking Wall out early at the 4 minute mark as oppose to playing him the entire quarter like last seasons, but not when he's this hot
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) November 1, 2013
Best Defense of first half was when Wittman took Wall at 4 minute mark of first quarter #wizards
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 2, 2013
Randy Wittman's rotations are outrages. Dude took out John Wall even though he was in the zone.
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 1, 2013
GAWD DAMN YOU RANDY AARRGGHHH!!! THERE IS NO REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR THIS!!
Only way taking Wall out at the four-minute mark was defensible is if he asked out.
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 1, 2013
John Wall said he asked to come out in the 1st quarter, said he expended a lot of energy and wanted to save it. #wizards
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 2, 2013
Oh. Twitter: Where snap judgments happen.
Hmm, how about a tweet that now seems comically tragic given how the game ultimately turned out...
#Wizards only getting out-scored 24-28 in paint points so far tonight. Wiz also up 22-9 in fastbreak points. Game plan sorta working so far.
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 2, 2013
HAHAHAHA yep that's the one. #tears
Still, this game was going great. Thankfully, no one tried to rob our fun by pointing out troubling in-game trends.
Hate to be a wet blanket, obviously it’s good they’re winning, but they aren’t beating many teams playing defense like this.
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 1, 2013
Wiz are winning, Wall’s scoring and Gortat’s been great, but this is the kind of game Philly wants to play, so I’m a little worried.
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 2, 2013
Leave it to Prada. That's alright, I'm sure the Wizards showed 'em, and came out of halftime with the requisite focus and energy needed to finish off a bad opponent. #trolling
Terrible shots. I can't blame Wittman, but Washington hardly ever seems prepared in the third quarter.
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 2, 2013
#WittmanFace incredulous pic.twitter.com/yrh1f5k9zi
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 1, 2013
Once again: shot from the corner, both Booker and Gortat, plus a perimeter player, go for the board, and it leads to a fast break.
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 2, 2013
Re: floor balance issues. Booker and Beal have to get back here pic.twitter.com/nEoKs9YRC5
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) November 2, 2013
Wiz have to develop some rules for crashing the glass. Two can crash, max, only one if the shot’s from the corner.
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 2, 2013
I really hate to say it, but Wall deserves a lot of the blame here. Way too much gambling on D
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) November 2, 2013
Sad how screwed Wizards would be without trading for Gortat, give away first rounders to make up for old first round mistakes
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 2, 2013
Photo of the game. pic.twitter.com/aQriBwdind
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 2, 2013
This is really, really bad. Boos starting at the Verizon Center. If Wittman prides himself as a defensive coach, this is unacceptable.
— Satchsquatch (@SatchelPrice) November 2, 2013
This second half is a complete mess #wizards
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 2, 2013
Ted doesn't seem thrilled pic.twitter.com/ouNhex2MJV
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) November 2, 2013
Look at this. Five Wizards, none of them dropping back well after a shot from the corner. Unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/2qAbNN6PWK
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 2, 2013
If PHI is supposed to be tanking, what are the #wizards doing right now?
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 2, 2013
Ted Leonsis looks nervous as hell. Biting his nails like there's no tomorrow, lol.
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 2, 2013
And the wheels are falling off, #wizards down 101-92 with 3:58 left
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 2, 2013
PHI is up 101-92 with 3:49 left. Um, about that playoff talk....
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 2, 2013
Hey, let's revisit our comically-tragic tweet from earlier.
According to my fuzzy math, the #Sixers scored 46 paint points in the 2nd half. Who? What? When? Where? How? --> #SoWizards
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 2, 2013
Emeka, where art thou? RT "@Truth_About_It: Ho-ly shit! This box score can't be right... #Sixers scored 74 points in paint on #Wizards ?!?!"
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) November 2, 2013
Yikes. I'm sure the postgame chatter will be measured.
People in the @BulletsForever comments section already talking about 2014 NBA Draft prospects. So yeah, that's how tonight went.
— Satchsquatch (@SatchelPrice) November 2, 2013
Nene earns $158,536 per game, take your time #diva
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 2, 2013
The problem with a slogan like "No More Excuses" is that it is basically a shovel.
— Conor Dirks (@ConorDDirks) November 2, 2013
Never count out the #Wizards when it comes finding new ways to embarrass themselves. Our AP wrapup of loss to 76ers: http://t.co/JUNuJpsPU5
— Joseph White Jr. (@JGWhiteAP) November 2, 2013
Dang, Randy Wittman agreeing with some of you. "We're not okay. We're 0-2."
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) November 2, 2013
If Ted Leonsis writes an excuse-filled post on Ted's Take tomorrow, I'm gonna flip shit.
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 2, 2013
Wiz loss is huge cuz 2 straight disastrous season starts, next 6 games, 5 (Mia, Phi, OKC, Dal, SA) on road, Nets at home
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 2, 2013
So unless Wiz win at Philly or Nets at home, likely 0-8 start, seriously
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) November 2, 2013
Wall also says he's dealing w back spasms, 1st noticed them in 3rd Q, says he's never had them before but should be OK for Sunday.
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 2, 2013
John Wall has back spasms. Fuck everything.
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) November 2, 2013
At least the coach remained composed.
"Commitment to playing fucking defense, that's what it boils down to." -Wittman, #Wizards.
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 2, 2013
Wittman said coming out of locker room @ half he could see his team got cocky. Unhappy with defense on wings #WizardsTalk #NBA #WizSixers
— J. Michael (@JMichaelCSN) November 2, 2013
Not a good sign when the coach drops the F bomb during post-game presser of the home opener. #SoWizards
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) November 2, 2013
Crap. Well, that was a quick season. See you guys at the NBA Draft Lottery in May!
For actual coverage of Wiz-Sixers, check out our Storystream and these recaps: [WaPo (gamer, JReid column) | CSN Washington (recap, Wall-MCW sidebar) | AP | SI on Wittman's postgame comments | Wiz of Awes | Wizards.com | Philly Inquirer (gamer, sidebar) | Philly Daily News | CSN Philly | The Sixer Sense]
Here's links to postgame interviews with Randy Wittman, John Wall, Bradley Beal and Marcin Gortat.
More from Bullets Forever:
- Randy Wittman says Wizards lacked 'commitment to f***ing playing defense'
- Wizards vs. 76ers final score: Washington drops opener in disappointing fashion
- Wizards, 76ers deflect importance of matchups before Friday's game
- Wizards vs. 76ers: Washington falls to lowly 76ers in home opener
- Wizards vs. 76ers preview: Basketball in the capital, oh how we missed you