Bullets Forever - Wizards vs. Celtics: Wizards fall 119-117"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2016-01-17T15:37:22-05:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/105396992016-01-17T15:37:22-05:002016-01-17T15:37:22-05:00Wizards vs. Celtics postgame links & roll call
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YP3gtA33TVZfC58A0zhpG5BHNpw=/0x674:2249x2173/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48582097/usa-today-9061717.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>One last look at Saturday with the usual links.</p> <p>The Wizards<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/13/10765868/wizards-vs-bucks-final-score-the-wiz-hold-on-to-win-106-101"> </a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/16/10781614/washington-wizards-boston-celtics-nba-final-score-recap">lost to the Celtics, 119-117</a>. John Wall put on one of his best performances this season with 36 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds, and 7 steals, but it wasn't enough. Isaiah Thomas scored 32 points for the Celtics in the win.</p>
<p>Let's go through the links from Saturday night's game.</p>
<h4>Videos</h4>
<p>Randy Wittman's <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/randy-wittman-postgame-1-16-16" target="_blank">presser is above</a>, but other players' videos are below:</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/garrett-temple-postgame-1-16-16" target="new">Bradley Beal</a> <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/john-wall-postgame-1-16-16" target="new">John Wall</a> <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/jared-dudley-postgame-1-16-16" target="new">Jared Dudley</a> <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/kelly-oubre-jr-postgame-1-16-16" target="new">Kelly Oubre</a>
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<h4><b>Links</b></h4>
<p>Here's the recap roll for the night:</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="v" target="new">CelticsBlog</a> <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/celtics_insider/2016/01/celtics_make_some_noise_in_victory_over_wizards" target="new">Boston Herald</a> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/wizards-fall-to-celtics-119-117-as-john-walls-layup-at-the-buzzer-rims-out/2016/01/16/4fd0b766-bbe2-11e5-b682-4bb4dd403c7d_story.html">The Washington Post</a> <a href="hhttp://wizofawes.com/2016/01/16/washington-wizards-avoidable-loss-celtics-wittman/" target="new">Wiz of Awes</a>
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<p>Nope, I didn't forget. Saturday was Bullets Forever Night. <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/17/10781906/wizards-vs-celtics-bf-night-review-postgame-links-and-roll-call?_ga=1.248606405.330558962.1446750693" target="_blank">I wrote a synopsis here</a> on how things went.</p>
<h4><b>Roll Call</b></h4>
<p>58 users commented 1,185 times in our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/16/10775620/wizards-vs-celtics-gamethread-bf-night-is-finally-here">first half</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/16/10775648/wizards-vs-celtics-second-half-gamethread">second half</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/16/10775662/wizards-vs-celtics-postgame-thread">postgame threads</a>. Here's how you did.</p>
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<th width="20">#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
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<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/wizardsfan2139">wizardsfan2139</a></td>
<td>122</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WhyKnotUs">WhyKnotUs</a></td>
<td>122</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JW2BB3">JW2BB3</a></td>
<td>97</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/elliotlevy2">elliotlevy2</a></td>
<td>94</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BEALiever">BEALiever</a></td>
<td>67</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Hypemaster">Hypemaster</a></td>
<td>62</td>
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<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Hands11">Hands11</a></td>
<td>61</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bobby%20Marley">Bobby Marley</a></td>
<td>52</td>
</tr>
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<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SmileyAllMighty">SmileyAllMighty</a></td>
<td>40</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ovechkinsgoal">ovechkinsgoal</a></td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
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<td>11</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ChilllDuice">ChilllDuice</a></td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>12</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PeDroDr">PeDroDr</a></td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rice2012">Rice2012</a></td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>14</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/LRJ">LRJ</a></td>
<td>28</td>
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<td>15</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/batmanwithprep">batmanwithprep</a></td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>16</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/qthaballa">qthaballa</a></td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/rvWizPH">rvWizPH</a></td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>18</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Big%20Spoon">Big Spoon</a></td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
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<td>19</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ARendon6">ARendon6</a></td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>20</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/novadada">novadada</a></td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Fisherball9">Fisherball9</a></td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>22</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/12AaronJones21">12AaronJones21</a></td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/wiz20">wiz20</a></td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>24</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/.hambonejackson">.hambonejackson</a></td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tw10">tw10</a></td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>26</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mdd1970">mdd1970</a></td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
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<td>27</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rook6980">Rook6980</a></td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>28</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/little%20stevie%20colter">little stevie colter</a></td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
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<td>29</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/John%20Wall%20Stan">John Wall Stan</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>30</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Edu_duda_dudu">Edu_duda_dudu</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/CountSmackula">CountSmackula</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>32</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/No%20Wave%20Coffee">No Wave Coffee</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/gavalon55">gavalon55</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>34</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NatP">NatP</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WizardlyTaco">WizardlyTaco</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>36</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ChillVillain">ChillVillain</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>37</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ThePGPhenomenon">ThePGPhenomenon</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>38</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ThatOneGuyCpr">ThatOneGuyCpr</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>39</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ATrueNigerian">ATrueNigerian</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>40</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bartek.biadasiewicz">bartek.biadasiewicz</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>41</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TilltheBitterEnd">TilltheBitterEnd</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>42</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheBackCourt">TheBackCourt</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>43</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/oneiroi">oneiroi</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>44</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/abdou77">abdou77</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>45</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Hector12">Hector12</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>46</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kkaleta">kkaleta</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>47</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jayxelo">jayxelo</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>48</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dragon%20Luffy">Dragon Luffy</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>49</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WizardsFan">WizardsFan</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>50</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/yop32">yop32</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>51</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MisterWu">MisterWu</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>52</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jake%20Whitacre">Jake Whitacre</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>53</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WarsawKen">WarsawKen</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>54</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kcrabz">kcrabz</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>55</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mads%20of%20Denmark">Mads of Denmark</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>56</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WALLsoHARD">WALLsoHARD</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>57</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MC-Sneaks">MC-Sneaks</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>58</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DCville">DCville</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4><b>Notable Comments</b></h4>
<p>There is the glass half full and the glass half emply approach. These comments show both ways to look at this season and an accurate reflection on where we stand after Saturday.</p>
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<img alt="bf comment" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QTR090uIcPsyNsf1eSp3vTShDU8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5912067/438bb775-4e05-40b7-9506-1e67ca8b556d.0.jpeg">
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<h4><b>Sunday Food Specials</b></h4>
<p>The Wizards led after the first quarter, so you'll get a free Egg McMuffin with your McDonald's mobile app in today's era of All-Day Breakfast!</p>
<p><b><i>Enjoy your Sundays everyone!<i></i></i></b></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/17/10783104/wizards-vs-celtics-postgame-video-links-and-roll-callAlbert Lee2016-01-17T15:28:00-05:002016-01-17T15:28:00-05:00The Saturday that was BF Night
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/v4Oai2kA920b4zNsjLD9ywaQKCE=/0x25:600x425/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48582125/CY4c0DPWsAApAZb.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Albert Lee</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Let's review BF Night from what we did to the Wizards' game against the Celtics itself, and more.</p> <p>One of the things that many of you wanted was a time where we can meet up with each other on game day.</p>
<p>Some other SB Nation sites, most notably our <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com" target="_blank">Bay Area colleagues at Golden State of Mind </a>have done this regularly, going as far back as 2007. <span>They even made a road trip to Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento recently. </span><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/1/10/10746206/warriors-vs-kings-sleep-train-arena-nba-2016" target="_blank" style="font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;">Check out this piece </a><span>by GSoM's Nate Parham for more on that trip.</span></p>
<p>I would LOVE for us to have a road trip at some point. But for now, let's start with a game here at home. Here's a rundown on how things went.</p>
<h4>Going to the District Chophouse instead of The Greene Turtle before the game</h4>
<p>I've grown quite fond of The Greene Turtle over the years because they have many locations in the D.C. area. In Loudoun County where I live, there are two more locations where I frequent -- and wrote at least some BF stories and did office work along the way.</p>
<p>If you do go to the Verizon Center often, there is a Greene Turtle on-site. Earlier this week, the rest of the BF writers and I thought. "Hey, the Georgetown vs. Villanova game's over, it's still at least a couple hours before the Wizards game. It's an easy place to hang out. Let's do it there!"</p>
<p>I got to D.C. early and noticed that the New England Patriots were playing the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL Playoff game. If you ask my friends how much of an NFL fan I am, you'll hear that I like it when the Redskins are doing well and don't care what</p>
<p>With the Celtics in town, some Boston-area fans who made a long trip down I-95 may have just went there early to kill two birds with one stone: Watch the Patriots in the afternoon, and the Celtics in the evening.</p>
<p>I caught up with Nick Bilka about half an hour before 5 p.m. and we made the decision to hold the pregame hangout at the District Chophouse. Without a computer in hand, I had to hastily put the notice on social media and the site on my "flimsy" iPhone 6 Plus to make it work.</p>
<p>At the hangout in the Chophouse -- which was less crowded than The Greene Turtle -- we had a few of our loyal commenters and tweeters stop by, grab some food, and/or some of the in-house drinks that the restaurant makes.</p>
<p>A few more of our writers also made the trip to the Chophouse, like Akbar Naqvi and Mitchell Northam. Mitch stopped by right after covering the aforementioned Georgetown vs. Villanova game:</p>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In DC, Villanova hung on against Georgetown for its 21st straight Big East win: <a href="https://t.co/OcQEhTm43Q">https://t.co/OcQEhTm43Q</a> <a href="https://t.co/u3olG4Ymdi">pic.twitter.com/u3olG4Ymdi</a></p>
— CityofBasketballLove (@hooplove215) <a href="https://twitter.com/hooplove215/status/688752771110047744">January 17, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>He left early because he was covering last night's game to cover interviews and the like for us. <span>For that, Mitch definitely deserved his #NBAVOTE that the site gave him on Saturday morning.</span></p>
<p>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">RT to give Mitchell Northam an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAVOTE?src=hash">#NBAVOTE</a>: He's workin' overtime this Saturday! <a href="https://t.co/WZMpBO1jP7">https://t.co/WZMpBO1jP7</a></p>
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever/status/688378189811437568">January 16, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<h4>The Game Itself</h4>
<p>In addition to all of us, from the BF writing crew, Jon Munshaw and Mike Sykes also made it to Bullets Forever Night with their better halves. The Wizards wore their Baltimore Bullets-inspired throwback-but-not-exactly-throwback jerseys so I expected a bit more Bullets references, but I didn't hear it during starting lineup intros:</p>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In starting lineups, we are still the Wizards, not the Bullets fwiw <a href="https://t.co/3UjWXKthgP">https://t.co/3UjWXKthgP</a></p>
— Albert L. (@aleeinthedmv) <a href="https://twitter.com/aleeinthedmv/status/688521021717110785">January 17, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>I know I listed <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/16/10779070/wizards-vs-celtics-preview-tv-times-schedule" target="_blank">Kelly Olynyk as a possible "Wizards Killer"</a> yesterday in the preview. There were definitely a couple commenters who gave some jeers every he didn't make a good play and definitely when he avoided getting posterized by John Wall on the fast break.</p>
<p>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nice fast break dunk by wall. Went by Olynyk <a href="https://t.co/QFr5E6pFRG">https://t.co/QFr5E6pFRG</a></p>
— Albert L. (@aleeinthedmv) <a href="https://twitter.com/aleeinthedmv/status/688550163447713793">January 17, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>For some reason, this guy kind of is a target for booing by their fans. Olynyk had a decent night, scoring 11 points, but it was a far cry from Isaiah Thomas' 32.</p>
<h4>The long wait for postgame free throws</h4>
<p>The game was close with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Really, either the Wizards or Celtics could have pulled this off. But we were going to shoot postgame free throws. And on top of all that, I was told by my Wizards guest services representative that there was a group of 600 safety patrols -- you know, the 5th graders who help walk kids across the street and tell kids to "quiet down" on the school bus -- also in line to take a shot at the charity stripe.</p>
<p>Fortunately, we were scheduled to go before the safety patrols, but we were told to leave our seats early. Most of us who had tickets for BF Night left. Many others, however, stayed in their seats to watch the game's close outcome which unfortunately ended up with a Washington loss.</p>
<p>But the close outcome of the game pretty much sealed the deal that there would be a number of fans who did not attempt a free throw. That said, if it was any other game, I would stay in my seat until the end.</p>
<p>Because I left, I don't know how the 400's were during that time, but the BF'ers who made the trek down to the 100 level were still pumped as ever (sorry for the foul language some were putting out toward the end of this Vine):</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Crazy BF fans <a href="https://t.co/dYcBQMkLlZ">https://t.co/dYcBQMkLlZ</a></p>
— Albert L. (@aleeinthedmv) <a href="https://twitter.com/aleeinthedmv/status/688558959138070528">January 17, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<h4><b>The free throws and afterward</b></h4>
<p>As basketball fans, we're quick to point the finger when one of our favorite players misses a shot at the stripe. Or we go crazy when a player on the opposing team misses a shot in the fourth quarter and gives fans Chick-fil-A sandwiches like Giannis Antetopeng -- I mean Antetokounmpo did.</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Antetopenguin?src=hash">#Antetopenguin</a> delivers Chick-fil-A sandwiches <a href="https://t.co/ThjwQLhQBJ">https://t.co/ThjwQLhQBJ</a></p>
— Albert L. (@aleeinthedmv) <a href="https://twitter.com/aleeinthedmv/status/666799502020448256">November 18, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Yes, it's "easy" to make a free throw when you're a professional basketball player. After all, you'd be spending hours a day on this one part of your craft. No wonder why we'd laugh or jeer when an NBA, WNBA, D-League, or FIBA European/Asian player misses this shot.</p>
<p>We're amateurs. Many of us probably haven't attempted a free throw since we were in gym class. Depending on how old you are, maybe that's a couple years. For others, like me, I haven't been in P.E. since the year 2000. (God, I'm feeling old)</p>
<p>When we went down to take our free throws, it went the way I thought it would: the ushers were going to move us along as quickly as possible.</p>
<p>We wouldn't have time to do some of the famous free-throw dribbling routines like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMHrKS5xEIQ" target="_blank">Richard Hamilton</a> or <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/art_of_the_free_throw.html" target="_blank">Gilbert Arenas </a>did, both of whom played for D.C. once upon a time. Maybe that's why half of us air balled them like we didn't know where the hoop was, at least according to their own self-reports.</p>
<p>To save the embarrassment, I won't tell who told me that his or her free throw looked something like this:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lpBSTBJyDh8" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>So how did my shot go? It almost didn't happen. Really, it's true.</p>
<p>Apparently, one of the ushers thought I was some random schmo, but fortunately, a couple of the Monumental staff members got that cleared up. <span>I was the last person to take a free throw because I waited to see if there were any latecomers from BF Night seats who wanted to redeem their chance for glory. </span></p>
<p>So after months of anticipation, I was given a basketball. My moment finally arrived.</p>
<p>For whatever reason, I felt confident and looked like a kid in the candy store as I bounced the ball once in anticipation of the shot that went through my head a million times...</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="albert free throw" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QKaSOHKP4m3mX3YVeKoIuXyoa4I=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5912223/20160116_222727.0.jpg">
</figure>
</p>
<p><i>(photo by BF user jensrules)</i></p>
<p>...but like countless other BF readers and 5th graders in neon orange or yellow belts that night, I missed. My shot hit the back of the rim though it looked good from my angle when it went up.</p>
<p>Sorry, I have no video of it either so this photo will have to suffice. The other attendees will just have to vouch for me that I couldn't throw a ball halfway across the key.</p>
<p>After our free throws were done, the ushers quickly led us out of the arena bowl so the arena could be cleaned up for the Capitals game against the Rangers later Sunday afternoon. S<span>ome of us stuck around to take a group photo so you know I'm not making this up.</span></p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="bf night photo" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/38fJYCsOe5ytpCyG8YxV0T7_8k8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5912221/IMG_4546.0.JPG">
</figure>
</p>
<p><i>(Photo by Albert's iPhone)</i></p>
<p>Many of us went to the Greene Turtle afterward to watch the conclusion of the Packers vs. Cardinals NFL Playoff Game.</p>
<p>The ending was as improbable and amazing as any I've ever seen. Aaron Rodgers <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2016/1/16/10781690/packers-hail-mary-aaron-rodgers-higlight-gif" target="_blank">throwing a hail mary touchdown pass</a> to send the game into overtime, followed by Carson Palmer making a pass to Larry Fitzgerald <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2016/1/16/10781720/larry-fitzgerald-cardinals-overtime-packers-highlights" target="_blank">when he went into beast mode </a>soon after? Amazing!</p>
<p>I'm not the biggest NFL fan out there, but I'll admit that those were two sensational plays in one of the most exciting playoff games in recent memory.</p>
<h4>Thank yous</h4>
<p>Saturday was our first BF Night ever. <span>All things considered, it was a success. </span></p>
<p><span>I glad that I had a chance to meet some of our regular readers in person. It's something we want to do a bit more of in future years or perhaps even this season with a watch party or the like.</span></p>
<p>First, I want to thank everyone who bought a ticket for the game and for hanging out with us before and after the game. Without you, there is no BF Night.</p>
<p>Second, I want to thank Monumental Sports, specifically Kelly Rakusin from Wizards Guest Services for being flexible and going the extra mile for us. Whether she was adjusting our ticket purchase deadline, transferring (and re-transferring) tickets to people, or letting us shoot free throws when we learned that pregame warmups weren't an option, Kelly was there to ensure that things went smoothly.</p>
<p>Finally, thanks to all of you, the readers. You make Bullets Forever the best Wizards fan community on the web and we're always open to your suggestions. I put out a poll on the bottom in regard to when you want another such night.</p>
<p>Let's do this again and make every BF Night an event we look forward to!</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/17/10781906/wizards-vs-celtics-bf-night-review-postgame-links-and-roll-callAlbert Lee2016-01-16T22:51:07-05:002016-01-16T22:51:07-05:00Recap: Wiz lose heartbreaker to Celtics
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QvdJQyngr4Lamjjw7YqlR4WL-rs=/0x66:2954x2035/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48580027/usa-today-9061093.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> down two with 3.6 seconds to play, <span>John Wall</span> raced the length of the court for a layup that rolled off the rim as time expired. The Wizards' four-game win streak is halted at four as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> win 119-117 in a wild one at Verizon Center.</p>
<p>John Wall put on a show tonight with 36 points, 13 assists, seven rebounds, and seven steals but it was <span>Isaiah Thomas</span> (32 points) and Celtics who got the last laugh.</p>
<p>Both teams started this game hot as the Celtics hit 5-7 shots to start the game and the Wizards were not far behind knocking down 5-8 to start the contest. John Wall was in one-man fast break mode as he took on multiple Celtics' defenders in transition on three occasions in the first half.</p>
<p><span>Marcin Gortat</span> had a nice game in his first game back after resting his ailing knee. The Polish Hammer also had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.</p>
<p>The Wizards led 61-54 at halftime.</p>
<p>The Wizards came out sleepwalking to start the third quarter. After a Dudley three-pointer, the Celtics went on a 14-0 run to regain the lead. Wall ended the lethargy with a reverse layup and step-back jumper to stop the Celtics run.</p>
<p>The Wizards ended the quarter on a 15-4 run highlighted from a tic-tac-toe pass from Oubre to Nene to Temple who'd finish with a layup and the foul.</p>
<p>Once again, the Wizards came out slow in the fourth quarter turning the ball over on their first three possessions.</p>
<p> Midway through the fourth, Gortat found Wall on a leak out pass who slammed it home past <span>Kelly Olynyk</span>:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="600" width="600" src="https://vine.co/v/iOXYn22an2X/embed/simple"></iframe></p>
<p>That got the Wizards' faithful back into it as the Wizards' regained the lead 95-93.</p>
<p>The Celtics held the lead, but just barely, for the latter part of the fourth quarter. With just 30 seconds remaining, <span>Brad Stevens</span> drew up a play for <span>Avery Bradley</span> who knocked down a three-pointer to give the Celtics a 114-110 lead.</p>
<p>John Wall was fouled on a three-pointer the next time down the court and would knock down 2-3 foul shots. <span>Jae Crowder</span> looked to have some words for <span>DeJuan Blair</span> on the bench as Crowder picked up a technical giving the Wizards another free throw.</p>
<p>The Celtics converted a layup with 3.6 seconds remaining.</p>
<p>John Wall took the inbounds pass the length of the court but it would roll off the rim as time expired. Celtics win 119-117.</p>
<p><b>John Wall puts on a show: </b>Everything was clicking for the Wall-Star tonight. Wall was in takeover mode right from the beginning logging 36 points, 13 assists, seven rebounds, and seven steals in 44 minutes of play. Wall laid it all on the court tonight and there's nothing more the Wizards' faithful could have asked of him. Wall was terrific in transition, found his teammates as evidenced by his 13 assists, and looked extremely confident rising up for jump shots.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Wizards have too many defensive lapses: </b>The Wizards played really good defense in the first half. The second half? Not so much. The Wizards came out sleepwalking to start the second half. After a made three by Dudley, the Celtics went on a 14-0 run. After the Wizards went on a run of their own, the Celtics countered with another 10-2 run to take control of the lead. Yes, runs are a part of the game and yes they happen often but when your energy level switch on the court flips on and off, that's not a good thing. Additionally, the Wizards gave up 17 offensive rebounds to a Celtics' frontline which isn't known for putting up those kinds of numbers. Some of it was due to effort, some of it due to some questionable lineups down the stretch.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/16/10781614/washington-wizards-boston-celtics-nba-final-score-recapAlan Jenkins2016-01-16T22:15:59-05:002016-01-16T22:15:59-05:00Wiz vs. Celtics postgame reaction thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N5vd-PzdzsCNEHN3dB5yVAlTEjE=/0x264:1808x1469/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48579655/usa-today-9061104.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Honestly, we're just glad it wasn't Isaiah Thomas hitting the dagger.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/16/10775662/wizards-vs-celtics-postgame-threadJake Whitacre2016-01-16T16:49:00-05:002016-01-16T16:49:00-05:00BF Night: Pre-Game Hangout venue changed
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZkdQQQfDDOQ6NJVf7OGteaxItYw=/0x0:3478x2319/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48560993/usa-today-8903095.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>One final update before Saturday's game.</p> <p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>Here's the final rundown on BF Night for Saturday Night against the Celtics.</p>
<h4><b>Tickets</b></h4>
<p>All tickets were emailed by Monumental Sports on Monday. If you haven't received them yet -- and some of you haven't accepted the offer yet -- check your spam folder. If you still don't see your tickets, then email me at aleeinthedmv AT gmail DOT com and I'll send it again.</p>
<h4><b>Pre-Game Hangout</b></h4>
<p>The writers and I will hang out at The District Chophouse (509 7th Street NW) at 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 16. We'll try to be at the bar area since that's at the front of the location. The Turtle is also as easy as any place out there because we'll be where we need to be.</p>
<p>I also don't think it makes sense for us to meet up at a venue a mile away before coming to Verizon Center.</p>
<p>If anything changes, I'll update this post, and you can also check our Twitter Account (<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.twitter.com/BulletsForever" target="_blank">@BulletsForever</a>) and <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.facebook.com/bulletsforever" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. And if you have any other questions, email me at aleeinthedmv AT gmail DOT com, or you can tweet me <a href="http://www.twitter.com/aleeinthedmv" target="_blank">@aleeinthedmv</a>.</p>
<h4><b>Post-Game Free Throws</b></h4>
<p>We will have to meet a Wizards representative by 3 minutes before the end of the fourth quarter at Section 112/113. She will lead us to the lower bowl and the basket where you will attempt to make a shot.</p>
<p>That means we'll have to leave the seats with around <b><i>five minutes left in the game to get there in time from the 400 level.</i></b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>THAT WON'T HAPPEN BECAUSE WE WILL BEAT THE CELTICS BY 35 POINTS!</b></p>
<p>There is another large group attending Saturday's game and I was told that it has over 600 people. However, <span>we'll be going for our free throws first provided that we meet up with the Wizards representative in time -- with three minutes left in the game at Section 112/113 -- for that. Otherwise, we may be waiting a lot longer.</span></p>
<p>This, of course, leads to a logical question:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>What if the game is close, goes in OT, etc? </b></p>
<p>We'll play by ear if this happens.</p>
<p>You won't be left hanging if you come late, but you may have to wait until after the other group finishes their free throws. There are over 600 people in that group, so it may be awhile before it's your turn.</p>
<p><b><i>That's it. Let's have a great time on Saturday.</i></b></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/14/10766540/bf-night-update-pre-game-hangout-postgame-free-throws-and-moreAlbert Lee2016-01-16T09:59:50-05:002016-01-16T09:59:50-05:00Preview: Wiz look to go above .500 on BF Night
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<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The stars are aligning just right for Bullets Forever night.</p> <p>Happy Saturday morning. The Wizards have won four in a row and will go for a season-best five-game win streak against the Boston Celtics Saturday. Hopefully, Bullets Forever Night will get them over the hump. <b>The game is on at 7:30 p.m. ET at Verizon Center.</b></p>
<h4><b>Pregame hangout</b></h4>
<p>Some of the BF writers and I will meet up at the Verizon Center Greene Turtle at 5 p.m. ET We'll be near the bar area toward the front. Check up on our<a href="http://www.facebook.com/bulletsforever" target="_blank"> Facebook </a>and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/BulletsForever" target="_blank">Twitter</a> pages if there are any changes.</p>
<h4><b>TV and Radio</b></h4>
<p>Watch the game on CSN Mid-Atlantic here in the D.C area or CSN New England in the Boston area. On the radio, it's on 99.1 FM in the D.C. area, 98.5 FM in the Boston area.</p>
<p>If you're in neither area, NBA League Pass will have the game on TV or online.</p>
<h4><b>Wizards' record vs. the Celtics so far: 0-2</b></h4>
<p>That's right. On November 6, the Wizards lost 118-98 and on November 27, they lost 111-78. Both losses were among Washington's worst for the season for sure, but both games were also in Boston. Now we're in Verizon Center.</p>
<h4><b>How are the Celtics doing as of late?</b></h4>
<p>Boston <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2016/1/15/10778090/the-assertive-kelly-olynyk-shows-up-all-game-and-leads-celtics-to-117" target="_blank">beat a hapless Suns team 117-103</a> yesterday at TD Garden. Seven Celtics scored in double figures while Marcus Smart got a triple double.</p>
<p>That said, the Celtics haven't done that well overall in the last three weeks. They lost six of seven games between December 30 and January 12, which included back to back home losses to the Lakers and Nets.</p>
<h4><b>Injury Report</b></h4>
<p>The Celtics have no injuries of note. Marcin Gortat (knee), Otto Porter (hip), Kris Humphries (knee) are all quetionable. Alan Anderson (ankle) will be out regardless.</p>
<h4><b>Wizards Killer of the Night: Kelly Olynyk</b></h4>
<p>Olynyk averages just 9.7 points a game on 45.3 percent shooting and plays in a sixth man role. He averages 61.1 percent shooting against the Wizards. Sixth men on other teams scare the hell out of me. Sure, Olynyk already had a 21-point outburst last night vs. Phoenix, but I think he has more in store for Washington tonight.</p>
<p><b><i>My final analysis: Even though Olynyk may score a lot of points, the Wizards will win because it's Bullets Forever Night. Yeah!</i></b></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/16/10779070/wizards-vs-celtics-preview-tv-times-scheduleAlbert Lee2016-01-06T21:01:44-05:002016-01-06T21:01:44-05:00BF Night: Do you want to hang out before the game?
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<figcaption>Rob Carr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p>Thanks to those of you who have bought tickets for 2015-16 BF Night on January 16, 2016 at Verizon Center when the Wizards host the Celtics. Some of you have asked if we can host a restaurant hangout before the game which is at 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>I'm open to it. Because we're less than two weeks away, I'm hesitant to try to arrange a semi-arranged party. Therefore, I think a more-impromptu bar hangout at a nearby venue (or two) in Washington, D.C. proper is more appropriate.</p>
<p>I'm sure a few of the BF writers and I will hang out for a lunch at a nearby venue -- not sure where -- but a place where we can all hang out nevertheless.</p>
<p>For me personally, I like a wide variety of food types. When it comes to beer selection for those of you who are of age, I like <a href="https://twitter.com/aleeinthedmv/status/669694839236272128" target="_blank">Belgian beer the most</a>. If I can't have a craft Belgian beer, I also like Heineken, even though it's from the Netherlands or a Yuengling, which is American. But of course, I don't have to have a beer in order to have a good time.</p>
<p>Anyway, forget about what I like and let's focus on you! If we did a restaurant hangout before the game -- and we're talking early afternoon -- what type of a place would you like us to do it?</p>
<p><b><i>To answer, a poll's below. It expires on Saturday 1/9/15 at 3 p.m. Eastern. If anyone knows of another way to get this done, please feel free to respond in the comments OR send me an email to aleeinthedmv AT gmail DOT com.</i></b></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/1/6/10719128/2015-16-bf-night-restaurant-bar-meetupAlbert Lee