Bullets Forever - Washington Wizards fall to Brooklyn Nets, 111-106, in preseason opener"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2013-10-09T11:42:49-04:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/45835592013-10-09T11:42:49-04:002013-10-09T11:42:49-04:00MAGICAL PIXELS: D.C. couldn't watch the Wiz lose
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<p>Thank you, NBA.</p> <p><i>Magical Pixels is the name of our new, extended recap roundup. Enjoy.</i></p>
<p>If you're like me, you were watching NBATV around 6:55 p.m. yesterday evening, eagerly awaiting the preseason debut of your 2013-14 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a>. As the seconds ticked away, your anticipation kept building. If you aren't like me, then you don't understand why someone would be excited to watch an NBA team that went 29-53 last season play in the preseason, and you probably happened upon this post by mistake.</p>
<p>Anyway, we were <i>so</i> stoked, right? Then 7 p.m. struck, and NBATV broke to Wiz-<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a>, and we local D.C. fans were so happy to have NBA basketball back, because...</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3360859/1008131933b.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="1008131933b_medium" width="100%" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3360859/1008131933b_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Oh NBA, you slay me. Seriously, it's hard to get people all worked up over a preseason game, but if there's one way to do it, it's to make sure the local fans of one of the teams playing <i>are the only people that can't actually watch the game.</i> Yeah, sure, some of us are fancy and can find an illicit stream on the interwebs, but the vast majority of Wizards fans were blacked out from watching the game. Not cool.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Just a terrific start to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wizards&src=hash">#Wizards</a> preseason! <a href="http://t.co/myeUJuMcQ7">pic.twitter.com/myeUJuMcQ7</a></p>
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) <a href="https://twitter.com/recordsANDradio/statuses/387727362345164800">October 8, 2013</a>
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<p>Yeesh, they weren't even kind enough to give the Wizards a heads up. As you can probably imagine, Twitter was angry/amused.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/NBA">@NBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards">@WashWizards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV">@NBATV</a> Hard 2 understand how a <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wizards&src=hash">#Wizards</a>-<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Nets&src=hash">#Nets</a> game is blacked out in DC when it's not on TV otherwise. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ContractualBS&src=hash">#ContractualBS</a>?</p>
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) <a href="https://twitter.com/Truth_About_It/statuses/387720122800275456">October 8, 2013</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/AminNBA">@AminNBA</a> Bro, it's not like live sports are a valuable TV commodity</p>
— Satchel Price (@SatchelPrice) <a href="https://twitter.com/SatchelPrice/statuses/387720865778892800">October 8, 2013</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Wizards season has started bootlegged</p>
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) <a href="https://twitter.com/adammcginnis/statuses/387722283399520256">October 8, 2013</a>
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<p>At Verizon Center, fans were (presumably) blissfully unaware of the rejection felt by those of us stuck on our couches looking at the NBA's big, static middle finger. I say 'presumably' because they were distracted by the return of their favorite son.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I found out <span>Andray Blatche</span> entered the game because the fans woke up and booooooed rather loudly. Good times.</p>
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenStandig/statuses/387721304549232640">October 8, 2013</a>
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<p>Boos for Blatche among the loudest sounds at Verizon Center thus far tonight. He just clanked a free throw.</p>
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever/statuses/387721325504000000">October 8, 2013</a>
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<p>There aren't a lot of Wizards fans here tonight. But those that are here are booing Andray Blatche quite emphatically.</p>
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardBeck/statuses/387721428805500928">October 8, 2013</a>
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<p>I wonder if it's confusing for <span>Jan Vesely</span> when he's guarding Andray Blatche and the fans boo loudly.</p>
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenStandig/statuses/387722077723062272">October 8, 2013</a>
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<p>But then <span>Al Harrington</span> made everyone happy again.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1849003/blatche-lol-o.gif"><img alt="Blatche-lol-o_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1849003/blatche-lol-o_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p>Bahahahaha. Meanwhile...</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>What channel Wiz on?</p>
— Chris Ford (@DCSportsNexus) <a href="https://twitter.com/DCSportsNexus/statuses/387731102640521216">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>Oh no, he doesn't know yet.</p>
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<p>Anyone got the Wizards game on Comcast? The NBA.tv is blocked & it says it's on local somewhere.</p>
— danny rouhier (@funnydanny) <a href="https://twitter.com/funnydanny/statuses/387737399960158208">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>Turned on the Wizards game late and it's blacked out. Wut?</p>
— Sarah Kogod (@SarahKogod) <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahKogod/statuses/387734515692871680">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>Hey I nearly blacked out watching Vesely grab all those rebounds. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahKogod">@SarahKogod</a> Turned on the Wizards game late and it's blacked out. Wut?</p>
— Joseph White Jr. (@JGWhiteAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP/statuses/387738316151336960">October 9, 2013</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>You win <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV">@NBATV</a> can't do this Wizards stream <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SoWizards&src=hash">#SoWizards</a></p>
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) <a href="https://twitter.com/adammcginnis/statuses/387734844207529985">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>The Wizards game is blacked out on NBATV because it's not being broadcast locally, or something. Whatever, I'm blaming hockey.</p>
— Jack Kogod (@Unsilent) <a href="https://twitter.com/Unsilent/statuses/387738917908537344">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>Right now on TV, in WASHINGTON DC, there are 2 NHL games not featuring the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Caps&src=hash">#Caps</a>, and ZERO Wizards preseason games taking place IN DC!</p>
— Chris Ford (@DCSportsNexus) <a href="https://twitter.com/DCSportsNexus/statuses/387740836101763072">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>Sad face. And it stayed that way for much of the second half, hitting rock bottom when <span>Garrett Temple</span> had a layup at the rim swatted away with eight seconds to play. <span>Miles Plumlee</span> made a free throw to put the Nets up 97-95. Oh well, nice effort against a very talented Nets team, time to pack it in...</p>
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<p>OH MY GOD WHAT JUST HAPPENED DID THAT COUNT IS THIS PRESEASON DID WE WIN</p>
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever/statuses/387753617144295424">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>WHATTT????</p>
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikePradaSBN/statuses/387753633191714816">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>WHAT</p>
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/UKhanNBA/statuses/387753635938979840">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>WHAT?!? GLEN RICE JR!</p>
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenAgent0/statuses/387753641396158464">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3361121/Screen_Shot_2013-10-09_at_11.40.14_AM.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Screen_shot_2013-10-09_at_11" width="100%" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3361121/Screen_Shot_2013-10-09_at_11.40.14_AM_medium.png"></a> <br id="1381333246065"></p>
<p>The refs tried to ruin everything by calling basket interference, but then they looked at it and remembered THIS IS PRESEASON: WHERE AWESOME HAPPENS.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Confirmed: Glen Rice Jr. is awesome.</p>
— Ben M (@BenAgent0) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenAgent0/statuses/387754036130488320">October 9, 2013</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Replay looks good. If refs agree, free preseason basketball!...And it's good, wow. Overtime. Take that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb-playoffs">MLB playoffs</a>.</p>
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenStandig/statuses/387754269404717056">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>We'll need a screenshot of Rice with his arms well above the rim. Kthxbye</p>
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikePradaSBN/statuses/387754142480879617">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>Nice play by Glen Rice Jr., that was a smart hustle play by the Wizards rookie. Looks like someone is working OT in the nation's capital.</p>
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketballtalk/statuses/387754419762130944">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>#shutdownZING</p>
<p>Despite Rice's heroics, the Wiz still fell in overtime, but whatever, it's preseason. Positives: <span>John Wall</span> looked good, Nene looked healthy, and the Wizards stuck with a superior team. Negatives: The backups stunk, and Jan Vesely balanced out his 12 rebounds with <strike>ZERO shot attempts (from the field or foul line)</strike> six fouls and three points on 1-for-4 shooting (1-for-2 from the charity stripe).</p>
<p>Meanwhile...</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>what time that Wiz game gonne start 2nite? SO.XCITE!!!</p>
— wizznutzz (@wzzntzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/wzzntzz/statuses/387758524811714560">October 9, 2013</a>
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<p>Sigh. Make sure to check out <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/9/4819518/washington-wizards-brooklyn-nets-nba-preseason-2013" target="_blank">our Storystream</a> for the game, as well as postgame interviews with <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/wittman-postgame-10813" target="_blank">Randy Wittman</a>, <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/wall-postgame-10813" target="_blank">Wall</a>, <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/beal-postgame-10813" target="_blank">Bradley Beal</a>, <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/rice-postgame-10813" target="_blank">Rice</a> and <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/vesely-postgame-10813" target="_blank">Vesely</a> (courtesy of Monumental Network).</p>
<p>Here's some more recaps and reaction to the Wizards' preseason opener: [<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards-vs-nets-in-preseason-opener-wizards-fall-in-overtime-111-106/2013/10/08/06c82324-3084-11e3-8906-3daa2bcde110_story.html" target="_blank">WaPo</a> | CSN Washington (<a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/wizards-go-hard-come-short-ot" target="_blank">recap</a>, <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/active-vesely-rebounds-against-nets" target="_blank">Vesely sidebar</a>, <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/morning-tip-wittman-triggers-turnover-alert" target="_blank">Wittman sidebar</a>) | <a href="http://districtsportspage.com/wizards-open-preseason-with-overtime-loss-to-jason-kidds-nets/20290" target="_blank">District Sports Page</a> | <a href="http://wizofawes.com/2013/10/08/nba-preseason-2013-washington-wizards-fall-brooklyn-nets-overtime/" target="_blank">Wiz of Awes</a> | <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/10/09/glen-rice-jr-s-putback-slam-to-force-overtime/" target="_blank">DC Sports Bog</a> | <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://washingtonwizardsblog.monumentalnetwork.com/2013/10/08/wizards-nets-recap-10813" target="_blank">WashingtonWizards.com</a> | <a href="http://tedstake.monumentalnetwork.com/2013/10/09/great-to-see-basketball-back-at-verizon-center-last-night" target="_blank">Ted's Take</a> | <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/sports/basketball/nets-beat-wizards-in-preseason-opener.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NY Times</a> | <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/winning-debut-kidd-nets-article-1.1480095" target="_blank">NY Daily News</a> | <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/12610/kidd-needs-ot-but-wins-preseason-debut" target="_blank">ESPN NY</a> | <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304626104579124203283019692.html?mod=rss_newyork_main" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a> | <a href="http://fromrussiawithdunk.com/2013/10/08/brooklyn-nets-win-preseason-opener-defeating-wizards-overtime/" target="_blank">From Russia With Dunk</a>]</p>
<p>Here's <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/games/wizards/2013/10/09/0011300015-bkn-was-play6.nba/" target="_blank">a link to some game highlights</a>, including Rice's buzzer-beating slam.</p>
<h4>More from Bullets Forever:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/9/4819508/glen-rice-jrs-amazing-putback-buzzer-beating-slam?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Glen Rice Jr's amazing putback, buzzer-beating slam</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/9/4818290/wizards-vs-nets-preseason-jan-vesely-kevin-seraphin-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Preseason loss to Brooklyn Nets offers few frontcourt answers for Washington Wizards</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4818518/nets-vs-wizards-score-final-nba-preseason-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Nets vs. Wizards final score: Washington drops preseason opener in OT, 111-106</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4812574/wizards-vs-nets-preview-preseason-october-8-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Wizards vs. Nets preview: (Preseason) basketball is back!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4812354/otto-porter-injury-washington-wizards-nba-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Otto Porter injury: Wizards' rookie unlikely to play in first 2 preseason games</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/9/4819894/wizards-vs-nets-recap-roundup-d-c-not-allowed-to-watch-d-c-basketballJeff Newman2013-10-09T08:04:26-04:002013-10-09T08:04:26-04:00Watch: Glen Rice Jr's absurd putback slam
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<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In case you missed this live, watch it again, because it's pretty absurd.</p> <p>This was one of the more amazing plays I've seen, preseason or not. I think we're going to see a lot of #FREEGRJR hashtags on Twitter this season.</p>
<p>Look how high he got.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3360315/Screen_Shot_2013-10-09_at_8.01.47_AM.png"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3360315/Screen_Shot_2013-10-09_at_8.01.47_AM_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Screen_shot_2013-10-09_at_8"></a> <br id="1381320150190"></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/9/4819508/glen-rice-jrs-amazing-putback-buzzer-beating-slamMike Prada2013-10-09T07:50:17-04:002013-10-09T07:50:17-04:00PF remains a problem
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<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After one preseason game, we still have no idea how the Wizards' frontcourt will look once the season begins.</p> <p>WASHINGTON -- If the preseason is about recognizing and fixing problems before the real games begin, the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a> didn't get many answers Tuesday night. Facing a new-look, super-talented <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Brooklyn Nets</a> team in the preseason opener, the Wizards stumbled to a 111-106 overtime loss at Verizon Center.</p>
<p>In an exhibition game where results mean little, one can excuse the team for faltering against an opponent as talented as Brooklyn. What's far more difficult to ignore is the apparent uncertainty still surrounding the team's frontcourt after its first preseason game. Instead of possible solutions to Emeka Okafor's absence, we only got more questions.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">I'm not impressed with that<span>-Randy Wittman on the Wizards' rebounding</span>
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<p>"I'm not impressed with that," coach <span>Randy Wittman</span> said when asked about Jan Vesely's 12-rebound performance after the game.</p>
<p><i>[As laska noted, Wittman may have been referring to the rebounding by everyone else besides Vesely. We apologize for the initial misinterpretation.]</i></p>
<p>While a couple of players offered praise for the big man's high-energy play, and Wittman's comments were team-focused more than anything, the point stands: what Washington got Tuesday night won't be enough to win.</p>
<p>Hoping to see the likes of Vesely and <span>Kevin Seraphin</span> step up against a stacked Nets roster, fans were treated with performances straight from the 2012-13 season. Making matters worse, much of that effort came against second- and third-team players, the likes of which Washington's big men should be able to dominate.</p>
<p>"I tried to focus and do my things -- play defense and get those rebounds," Vesely said after the game.</p>
<p>He's not wrong. At times, you saw a sprightly Vesely flying through the air for an offensive rebound or sticking his hand in a passing lane, doing precisely what you'd hope for. But there were so many things Vesely needed to show Tuesday after an offseason of work -- shooting, footwork, ballhandling, etc. -- and we rarely saw those things.</p>
<p></p>
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<b>More</b>: <a target="new" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4818518/nets-vs-wizards-score-final-nba-preseason-2013">Umair's Nets-Wizards game notes</a>
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<p>And really, that's the biggest source of concern here. Yes, Vesely showed some nice energy out of the gate against <span>Kevin Garnett</span>, but he was mostly an ineffective offensive player while playing against backups and training camp invitees. If the Wizards are searching for their new starting power forward, Vesely gave little reason to show he can fill that role.</p>
<p>Seraphin hardly helped his case, too. Recording 13 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes despite tallying five fouls, the 24-year-old showed the same inefficient issues he's battled throughout his career, giving up four turnovers and going just 1-of-3 from the charity stripe.</p>
<p>Is all of this worth panicking? As of Oct. 8, of course not, particularly when the team still has a few more preseason games to work on everything. It's not like we've reached the point of calling Seraphin-Vesely a lost cause simply because of a bad exhibition game.</p>
<p>But the idea of either Seraphin or Vesely emerging as a legitimate, worthy starter at the power forward position after Tuesday's game, seems harder to imagine. We had always hoped that one of these guys would emerge as a 30-minutes-a-night option, someone who could actually carry big minutes on a good team if needed.</p>
<p>Instead, we're still working with the forward-by-committee approach that emerged when Okafor first went down.</p>
<p>"One person can't make that up, the whole team's got to," <span>John Wall</span> said after the game of replacing Okafor.</p>
<p>It's just too bad one guy couldn't make this easier.</p>
<h4>More from Bullets Forever:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4818518/nets-vs-wizards-score-final-nba-preseason-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Nets vs. Wizards final score: Washington drops preseason opener in OT, 111-106</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4812574/wizards-vs-nets-preview-preseason-october-8-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Wizards vs. Nets preview: (Preseason) basketball is back!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4812354/otto-porter-injury-washington-wizards-nba-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Otto Porter injury: Wizards' rookie unlikely to play in first 2 preseason games</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4812242/nba-previews-atlantic-division-and-pacific-division-links?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">NBA Previews - Atlantic Division and Pacific Division links</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4762426/washington-wizards-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-playoffs-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Path to the Playoffs: The Wizards and the Cavaliers</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/9/4818290/wizards-vs-nets-preseason-jan-vesely-kevin-seraphin-2013Satchel Price2013-10-08T22:11:11-04:002013-10-08T22:11:11-04:00A mixed effort: Wiz fall in preseason opener
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<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Washington Wizards fall to the Brooklyn Nets in their preseason opener, 111-106. We run down the good and the bad from the first game.</p> <p>With Trevor Ariza and <span>Jan Vesely</span> inserted in the starting lineup, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> starting unit went toe to toe with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> for the first half and executed their offense adequately. However much of the concerns over the second unit last year carried over to tonight, as the move to bring <span>Martell Webster</span> off the bench, along with newcomer <span>Eric Maynor</span>, proved to be futile. The Wizards dug themselves out of a hole after a rough third quarter and forced overtime thanks to a ridiculous Glen Rice Jr. dunk, but ultimately fell, 111-106.</p>
<p>The turnovers began to pile up in the second half, and soon enough, Brooklyn built a double-digit lead. <span>Randy Wittman</span> continued to play his starters and key cogs for much of the fourth quarter against Brooklyn's reserves, and Washington understandably fought their way back into the contest. After both teams traded baskets down the stretch, Maynor hit a miracle floater in the lane with the foul to tie the game. Washington then forced a steal out of the timeout, got the ball up court to a streaking <span>Garrett Temple</span> along the wing, but he got blocked out of nowhere. After intentionally fouling, Wizards had one more chance to score, and Rice Jr came flying in off a Maynor miss for the put-back dunk to take the game into overtime.</p>
<p>However, the Wizards offense fell back into their third-quarter funk and had no response to Brooklyn's execution on offense in overtime.</p>
<p>Here are my game notes, in chronological order:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>Brooklyn came out of the gates strong, scoring with relative ease and finding the Wizards defenses over helping one pass away a few times. Nene got caught out of position on a <span>Joe Johnson</span>/<span>Brook Lopez</span> pick and roll, leaving Lopez a clear path to the basket along the baseline. Jan Vesely did the same thing a little later in the first by overhelping on Andrei Kirileinko, which resulted in an easy <span>Andray Blatche</span> score at the rim.</span></li>
<li><span>The biggest takeaway so far has been John Wall's ability to fight over screens, which isn't an easy task with <span>Kevin Garnett</span> on the floor. He hasn't taken any shortcuts, and he looks noticeably stronger.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Kevin Seraphin</span> came in for Nene and struggled immediately. He got his jumper blocked off the pick and pop then failed to pull down a defensive rebound with both hands, which Andrei Kirileinko promptly ripped away and assisted on an easy fast-break layup. He has to cut down these mistakes and really focus on being a top rebounder on this team.</span></li>
<li><span>Once Wall took a seat, the offense completely stagnated. The team ran a high pick and roll for Beal which resulted in a contested 19-footer. Then Maynor ran one from almost the same spot with <span>Al Harrington</span> popping out to the top of the key, but turned it over after getting caught in the middle of three Brooklyn defenders in the paint.</span></li>
<li><span>Love the push by Maynor to get the ball to the corner for a Harrington three off the fastbreak. The shot was missed, but we'll see a lot of this from both point guards.</span></li>
<li><span>Jan Vesely tried posting up Kevin Garnett.... Let's pretend that never happened.</span></li>
<li><span>Again, the Wizards get caught helping one pass away. This time, it was on a Livingston post up at the high post that resulted in a Brook Lopez dunk.</span></li>
<li><span>It's obviously early, but Brooklyn doesn't look like a team that hasn't played a game in five months. Beautiful interior passing, selfless basketball and a lot of shot makers. Wouldn't surprise me at all if <span>Deron Williams</span> reclaims his spot in the top-3 point guard discussion.</span></li>
<li><span>Here's the one thing that scares me more than anything else in Wall's game: falling in love with the jumper out of the pick and roll. He took one as soon as he re-entered the game in the second quarter with 17 seconds left in the shot clock.</span></li>
<li>Four fouls in the first half for Jan. No field goal attempts, no trips to the free throw line despite the Wizards getting into the bonus early in the first quarter, and some really poor box-outs on Garnett to boot.</li>
<li><span>Beal got completely lost as <span>Alan Anderson</span> ran through a maze of screens and got open for an elbow three. He's had his fair share of struggles chasing players around tonight, but I wouldn't fret too much over this.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Reggie Evans</span> had three offensive rebounds in one possession. Seraphin predictably didn't box him out once.</span></li>
<li><span>Really don't understand why Ariza was in the starting lineup. It's one thing to move a high-usage player to the bench to give the second unit an extra facilitator, but Webster doesn't fit that description at all. The spacing he provides for the starting lineup is invaluable.</span></li>
<li><span>Beal took another contested, off-balanced jumper out of the pick and roll. Still waiting for him to attack and showcase the floor game he's worked so hard on this summer.</span></li>
<li><span>Mentioned this on <a href="http://twitter.com/ukhannba">Twitter</a>, but Wall has to manipulate the space between him and the big sagging off out of the pick and roll better. This is something that Rajon Rondo has mastered in the last few years, and it keeps those long twos attempted at a minimum. That's the next step he needs to take as a scorer.</span></li>
<li><span>Harrington finally started to produce late in the third. Mike touched on the need for more floor spacers along the top of the key; I think Al can really thrive in this offense in trailer situations. He showed off a nice fake and drive that resulted in an And-1, and then on the very next possession put the ball on the floor and hit a nice fadeaway from just outside the key.</span></li>
<li><span>I like how instinctive Glen Rice Jr is digging down on bigs on defense. He's caused two turnovers in the span of about four minutes, and it's helped get Washington back into this game. He'll earn playing time over Garrett Temple if he brings it on this end consistently.</span></li>
<li><span>Nene and Wall come back in for the fourth quarter. Interesting move by Wittman.</span></li>
<li><span>That's the second time Beal has turned the ball over on the fast break. He's struggled creating in the open court; this time he had Maynor along the wing but chose to bully his way to the rim for a contested layup. He definitely looks out of his element tonight, making mistakes he generally stays away from. But if there's a time to experiment, it's tonight. </span></li>
<li><span>That's just an unbelievable play by Rice to fly into the paint and put-back the Eric Maynor miss to send it into overtime. The kid is a gamer and isn't afraid of the moment, but what's so remarkable about him is how smart he plays. He was rarely out of position on defense, and didn't take many shots out of the flow of the offense. </span></li>
<li><span>Again, the Wizards offense got into a funk in overtime and couldn't respond down the stretch.</span></li>
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<div><font size="2"><span>What are your thoughts on the opener? Who impressed? Who did not?</span>
<h4>More from Bullets Forever:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4812574/wizards-vs-nets-preview-preseason-october-8-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Wizards vs. Nets preview: (Preseason) basketball is back!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4812354/otto-porter-injury-washington-wizards-nba-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Otto Porter injury: Wizards' rookie unlikely to play in first 2 preseason games</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4812242/nba-previews-atlantic-division-and-pacific-division-links?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">NBA Previews - Atlantic Division and Pacific Division links</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4762426/washington-wizards-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-playoffs-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Path to the Playoffs: The Wizards and the Cavaliers</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/5/4805868/washington-wizards-open-practice-john-wall-kevin-seraphin?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Open practice recap: John Wall shines, Kevin Seraphin improves and more</a></li>
</ul></font></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4818518/nets-vs-wizards-score-final-nba-preseason-2013Umair Khan2013-10-08T17:24:21-04:002013-10-08T17:24:21-04:00Basketball! Your Wizards-Nets game thread
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<figcaption>Rob Carr</figcaption>
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<p>Let's do this.</p> <table cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2013-14 NBA Preseason Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://theclassical.org/sites/default/files/brooklyn-nets-logo_circlealternate.jpg" height="72" width="72"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/wizards_alt_logo_hand.gif" height="72" width="80"></center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>October 8, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Verizon Center</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>7 p.m.</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>NBATV, 106.7 The Fan</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Projected Starting Lineups</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Shaun Livingston</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span>John Wall</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Joe Johnson</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Bradley Beal</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Paul Pierce</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240">Trevor Ariza</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Kevin Garnett</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Jan Vesely</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Brook Lopez</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240">Nene</td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">88.8 (28th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">92.2 (15th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">108.2 (8th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">100.2 (30th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">106.2 (17th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">103 (5th)</td> </tr> <tr><th height="20" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">Also see: <a href="http://www.netsdaily.com">Nets Daily</a> | <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4812574/wizards-vs-nets-preview-preseason-october-8-2013">Preview</a> </th></tr> </tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>Basketball! Game threads! Let's do this.</p>
<p>This game is only on NBATV, as I understand it, which is annoying, but at least it's somewhere, unlike some other preseason games. Remember: no posting illegal streams in the comments. Find your own way.</p>
<p><span>Otto Porter</span>, <span>Trevor Booker</span>, <span>Chris Singleton</span> and <span>Emeka Okafor</span> are out for Washington. Deron Williams and <span>Jason Terry</span> are out for Brooklyn. Thomas and Satchel are at Verizon Center, and Umair is recapping.</p>
<p>A good rule of thumb is not to freak out too much one way or the other with what happens. It's preseason, where teams spend time working out the kinks. That said, it'd be really nice to see Jan Vesely play well with the starters.</p>
<p>GO WIZARDS!</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4817786/nets-vs-wizards-game-time-tv-schedule-and-open-threadMike Prada2013-10-08T12:10:17-04:002013-10-08T12:10:17-04:00Wizards vs. Nets preview: Basketball is back!
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<figcaption>Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>And so is Andray Blatche! Here's your guide to Washington's first official game of the preseason, a home game against a returning Blatche, last year's Nets, and everyone of note other than Rondo who played for the Celtics last year.</p> <p>And we're back. It seems like only yesterday that the <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/4/17/4237044/wizards-vs-bulls-final-score-chicago-silences-washingtons-season" target="_blank">hopes and dreams of a 30-win season were dashed by the Derrick Rose-less Chicago Bulls</a>. Now, almost six months later, all of the key players other than <span>Emeka Okafor</span> from last year's up-and-down team will take the floor against the <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Brooklyn Nets</a>.</p>
<p>Brooklyn and Washington actually had similar offseasons, albeit on completely different scales. Washington sought to build on a promising season by tweaking a team that was working, adding complementary players via the draft and free agency. Meanwhile, Brooklyn returns most of a roster that won the team 49 games and earned a playoff berth, but the team also added <span>Andrei Kirilenko</span> as well as <span>Paul Pierce</span>, <span>Kevin Garnett</span> and <span>Jason Terry</span> from the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> at the expense of a mummy that bore a passing resemblance to <span>Gerald Wallace</span> last year, <span>Kris Humphries</span> and the somewhat underrated MarShon Brooks. The Boston trio have all seen better days, but even if they're only 80 percent of what they were last year, they're going to be very effective players and could propel Brooklyn into title contention.</p>
<p><b>Where, when and how to watch?</b> Tip off is at 7 p.m. ET at the Verizon Center. Apparently, this one isn't being televised on Comcast or even CSN+, so you'll have to watch on NBA TV or YES Network if you get it. Otherwise, you could always just come to the Verizon Center. Tickets for preseason games are cheap, even more so if you buy them off the secondary market. I won't name specific companies since it might be a conflict of interest, but one of the more prominent advertisers on this site typically has lower level tickets for preseason games for less than $30.</p>
<p><b>Why should I care?</b> It's your first chance to see the team in action since April. <span>Andray Blatche</span> will be back in D.C., too, so there will be plenty of opportunities to heckle.</p>
<p><b>Will the Nets be good?</b> Yes, until half the roster goes down due to old age. The Nets should have only four rotation players who are under 30 this year, while the team's projected starting lineup of Williams, Johnson, Pierce, Garnett and Lopez has an average age of 31.6. Keep in mind that <span>Bradley Beal</span> still isn't old enough to drink.</p>
<p><b>Who's out?</b> <span>Otto Porter</span> (hip), Emeka Okafor (neck), <span>Trevor Booker</span> (knee) and <span>Chris Singleton</span> (foot) will be out for Washington. Deron Williams sprained his ankle and will miss tonight's game, but should be good to go for Brooklyn's next preseason game. The Nets are otherwise healthy.</p>
<p><b>What will they be good at?</b> Brooklyn should be excellent if not quite elite on both ends of the floor, with Garnett providing a massive upgrade from <span>Reggie Evans</span> on the defensive end, both individually and as a floor general who will make sure Lopez goes to the right spots. Brooklyn was only 17th in the NBA in defensive rating last year, but Garnett is such a game changer on that end that it's hard to imagine any team with him finishing worse than 10th. Meanwhile, the offense should feature a lot of open jumpers and due to the passing and shooting ability of everyone in the starting lineup.</p>
<p><b>What will they be bad at?</b> Brooklyn was good across the board last year except for two areas: protecting the ball and causing their opponents to turn it over. Some of this was a result of the presence of Evans, as much of a turnover machine as anyone in the league, but it can also be tied to having too many cooks in the kitchen. Williams, Lopez, Johnson and, to an extent, Blatche were all primary options within the last few years, and the same can be said of Terry, Pierce and Garnett. It was a regular occurrence for a Brooklyn player to make a play toward the basket and kick the ball out, only to have the perimeter player hesitate before shooting or try to take advantage of an off-balance defense and make a play of his own. Garnett and Pierce successfully transitioned to complementary roles while playing with <span>Rajon Rondo</span> in Boston and it will be interesting to see if they can help iron out the kinks in Brooklyn's offense.</p>
<p><b>Who's going to start for Washington?</b> Who will start is an open question and will probably be resolved at game time. Who <i>should</i> is another question. <span>Jan Vesely</span> played with the starters in practice on Friday and would make sense from a rotation standpoint, but throwing a player who's rebuilding his confidence to Garnett might not be a good idea. Al Harrington's shooting and defensive IQ are nice, but considering how starved for offense the bench is when <span>Martell Webster</span> starts, it would make more sense to just roll the dice with <span>Kevin Seraphin</span>.</p>
<p><b>Who's going to win?</b> Brooklyn's a great team on paper, but no one has seen them in action yet, so it's hard to tell. With Williams out and <span>Shaun Livingston</span> likely starting in his place, Wall should be able to have a field day on offense and an easier time than usual on defense. This one will come down to whether Garnett's help defense is enough to keep Wall out of the lane. If Wall has an ordinary game, it won't be enough to make up for Brooklyn's depth and the Nets' bench should be the difference maker.</p>
<h4>More from Bullets Forever:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4812354/otto-porter-injury-washington-wizards-nba-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Otto Porter injury: Wizards' rookie unlikely to play in first 2 preseason games</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4812242/nba-previews-atlantic-division-and-pacific-division-links?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">NBA Previews - Atlantic Division and Pacific Division links</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/7/4762426/washington-wizards-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-playoffs-2013?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Path to the Playoffs: The Wizards and the Cavaliers</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/5/4805868/washington-wizards-open-practice-john-wall-kevin-seraphin?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Open practice recap: John Wall shines, Kevin Seraphin improves and more</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/5/4806000/ted-leonsis-john-wall-bradley-beal-washington-wizards?utm_source=bulletsforever&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Ted Leonsis on the new season, John Wall and Bradley Beal, what he expects from Jan Vesely and more</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/10/8/4812574/wizards-vs-nets-preview-preseason-october-8-2013Thomas Pruitt