Bullets Forever - Wizards vs. Bucks: Washington falls in disappointing fashion, 109-105"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2013-12-08T09:37:00-05:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/49481312013-12-08T09:37:00-05:002013-12-08T09:37:00-05:00'Somebody has to become a leader'
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ascshc3aSixxRq_lR5rtP0oAbY0=/0x258:2706x2062/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24728755/454034493.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rob Carr</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Despite the injuries to Nene and Martell Webster, the Washington Wizards didn't lose to the Milwaukee Bucks because of how they finished it. They lost because of how they started.</p> <p>WASHINGTON -- The last time the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a> played the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, they fell behind early, made up the difference in the fourth quarter and won it in overtime. This time, they fell behind early, made up the difference in the fourth quarter, and lost in overtime, 109-105.</p>
<p>Washington lost two key players before the start of of the fourth quarter. Nene left the game after only 26 minutes of playing time due to trouble with his foot. <span>Martell Webster</span> sprained his ankle on the last play of the first quarter and was unable to return. <span>John Wall</span> took over the game in their absence, but one superstar flanked by <span>Marcin Gortat</span>, <span>Trevor Ariza</span> and a couple of bench players wasn't enough to overcome the deficit the Wizards were already facing.</p>
<p>It'd be easy to blame the loss on a combination of injuries and an overworked core running out of gas. Easy, but completely wrong, according to Randy Wittman.</p>
<p>"We should have had a full tank in the first half. That's what everyone kind of uses (as an excuse), the end of the game," he said. "We lost the game in the first half."</p>
<p>Washington gave up 34 points in the first quarter and 56 by halftime to a team that is last in the NBA in points per possession and was missing its second leading scorer, Caron Butler. Webster played 12 minutes before going down while Nene almost the entire first half of the game, so this was not a matter of missing key rotation pieces. The team simply played poorly.</p>
<p>Wall did his best to make up the deficit in the second half. Still, when asked about Wall's attempt to single-handedly take over the game in the fourth quarter, Wittman came back to the first half.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">Somebody on this team has to become the leader that doesn't allow these things to happen<span>-Randy Wittman</span>
</div>
<p>"We should have single-handedly taken it over at the start of the game. Somebody on this team has to become the leader that doesn't allow these things to happen," he said. "When I went into the locker room to talk to them before the game, the sense in the locker room was care-free, unlike the last two weeks. I told our guys when I walked out, you know, we could be in a little trouble tonight."</p>
<p><span>Trevor Booker</span>, who finished the game with nine points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes after having largely fallen out of the rotation, disagreed with Wittman.</p>
<p>"We might have had a couple of laughs in the locker room pre-game, but it's usual," he said. "I don't think we took them lightly. We can't take any team in the NBA lightly."</p>
<p>But the numbers, and the performance, say otherwise. Washington is allowing opponents to score 107.4 points per 100 possessions in the first quarter of games this season, per NBA.com's stats page. During the third quarter, when more or less the same rotations are used by both teams, that falls by almost 12 points per 100 possessions to 95.7.</p>
<p>Washington played hard from beginning to end in the overwhelming majority of the team's games last season. This was largely out of necessity. Nine times out of 10, when last year's Wizards stepped on the court, they knew that they were outgunned from a talent perspective and had to compensate with effort. With Wall playing like a superstar and a starting lineup that's one of the most effective in the league, it's easy to see how the team could become complacent now. The thing is, as good as Washington can be when firing on all cylinders, they're still not good enough to simply coast to victories.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Memphis Grizzlies</a> were once in a similar position to the one Washington currently finds itself in. In 2010, after years of post-Pau misery, the team was finally starting to get back on track. The starting lineup of <span>Marc Gasol</span>, <span>Zach Randolph</span>, <span>O.J. Mayo</span>, <span>Mike Conley</span> and <span>Rudy Gay</span> was talented enough that, at their best, they could beat almost anyone. They finished the year with a 40-42 record, which is about where Washington seems to be headed this year, but no one pegged them to be much more than solid going forward.</p>
<p>Enter Tony Allen. Once Memphis brought in Allen, the defense went from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MEM/2010.html">19th in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions</a> to ninth, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MEM/2011.html">despite Allen playing only the eighth most minutes on the team</a>. What made Memphis so much better wasn't Allen's individual ability as a defender, it was the never say die, pedal to the floor attitude he brought to the court every night. Even if Allen wasn't the team's best player, he helped to instill a sense of urgency and intensity that rubbed off on his teammates. All of of a sudden, players like Gay and Randolph began to play harder. As good of a coach as <span>Lionel Hollins</span> is, there's only so much he can do to reach his players. They needed one of their peers to pay more than lip service to playing hard, to tell them to leave it all on the floor every night and proceed to do it himself.</p>
<p>Washington is probably going to win about half of their games this season. Unless the team can re-learn how to play hard for entire games instead of key stretches, though, winning about half of their games is all they'll do.</p>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css"></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/8/5185590/wizards-bucks-nba-2013-randy-wittmanThomas Pruitt2013-12-07T10:30:22-05:002013-12-07T10:30:22-05:00Magical Pixels: Three losses in one
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hCk1AbHyoT9wf3bV1uUkMOcvs-E=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24672687/20131206_ads_sb4_104.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Washington Wizards lost at home Friday to the Milwaukee Bucks, who entered the game with the NBA's worst record, but injuries to Nene and Martell Webster might hurt even more.</p> <p>So much for being .500, huh? Frankly, once <span>Martell Webster</span> and Nene left the game with injuries, and with <span>Bradley Beal</span> already sidelined, it was debatable whether the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a> were even the more talented team on the court Friday against the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, who arrived at Verizon Center sporting a league-worst 3-15 record.</p>
<p>That doesn't excuse how this game started, though. The Wizards began the game looking like a team and bought into the hype of being the third-best team in the Eastern Conference, which was already a dubious honor, and looks even more like one today.</p>
<p>The Bucks aren't a good team with a full roster, and they were missing a couple pieces last night, yet the Wizards still let them score 56 first half points, with themselves scoring just 13 in the second quarter. <span>John Wall</span> tried to put the team on his back, and nearly led a comeback that Washington didn't deserve, but in the end a poor defensive play (one of many Wall had against <span>Brandon Knight</span>) led to Knight hitting a game-tying three to send the game into overtime, where the Wizards could muster only three points en route to a dispiriting 109-105 loss.</p>
<p>An unacceptable loss, and <span>Randy Wittman</span> said as much after the game. But even more significant might be the injuries to Webster and Nene. Webster landed awkwardly following a last-second heave to end the first half, and crumpled to the floor in obvious pain. He was putting weight on both feet as he was helped back to the locker room, but was declared out with a left ankle sprain. Meanwhile, Nene left the game with tendinitis in his foot, and we all know what that could mean.</p>
<p>This team could get by without Beal, but not without Webster, too, and certainly not without Nene. This could get ugly. Cross your fingers.</p>
<h4>KEY LINKS</h4>
<p><b>Home team recaps: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/6/5184090/wizards-vs-bucks-nba-game-2013">BF StoryStream</a> | Washington Post (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/bucks-109-wizards-105-washingtons-five-game-winning-streak-snapped/2013/12/06/9a2e732e-5ee8-11e3-bc56-c6ca94801fac_story.html">gamer</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/wp/2013/12/07/wizards-otto-porter-jr-i-was-pretty-happy-to-be-out-there/">Porter sidebar</a>) | CSN Washington (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/instant-analysis-bucks-109-wizards-105-ot">recap</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/wake-call-wittman-questions-leadership">sidebar</a>) | <a target="_blank" href="http://wizofawes.com/2013/12/06/recap-wizards-lose-bucks-overtime/">Wiz of Awes</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/game-recap-wizards-105-bucks-109">Wizards.com</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://washingtonwizardsblog.monumentalnetwork.com/2013/12/06/wizbucks-gameday-blog-12-6-13">Monumental Network</a></p>
<p><b>Road team recaps: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/12/6/5183980/bucks-final-score-john-wall-brandon-knight-john-henson-khris-middleton">Brew Hoop</a> | Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (<a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jsonline.com%2Fsports%2Fbucks%2Fbrandon-knights-play-helps-bucks-grab-overtime-victory-b99158074z1-234858531.html&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bulletsforever.com%2F2013%2F12%2F7%2F5185218%2Fmagical-pixels-wizards-vs-bucks-washington-suffers-three-losses-in" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">gamer</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jsonline.com%2Fblogs%2Fsports%2F234839351.html&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bulletsforever.com%2F2013%2F12%2F7%2F5185218%2Fmagical-pixels-wizards-vs-bucks-washington-suffers-three-losses-in" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">sidebar</a>) | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucksketball.com/2013/12/a-shotmaker-steps-forward-bucks-109-wizards-105/">Bucksketball</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/games/wizards/2013/12/06/0021300281-mil-was-recap.nba/">Game highlights</a></p>
<p><b>Postgame interviews: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/wittman-postgame-120613">Randy Wittman</a><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/wittman-postgame-120213"> </a></b>| <a target="_blank" href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/john-wall-postgame-12-6-13">John Wall</a><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/john-wall-postgame-12-2-13"> </a></b>| <a target="_blank" href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/otto-porter-postgame-12-6-13">Otto Porter</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/trevor-booker-postgame-12-6-13">Trevor Booker</a></p>
<h4>KEY STATS</h4>
<p><b>10 </b>- Chris Singleton's shooting percentage on the night, one 1-for-10 shooting, yet when the Wizards needed a bucket toward the end of overtime to give themselves a chance, who do you think ended up taking the shot? *<i>drink*</i></p>
<p><b>80</b> - John Henson's shooting percentage, because why the hell not, eh? Henson scored 19 points and hauled in 17 rebounds against the Wizards. There are no words.</p>
<p><b>29 </b>- Points scored by <span>Khris Middleton</span> against the Wizards. Nope, not Kevin Durant. Khris freaking Middleton.</p>
<p><b>0 </b>- Points scored by <span>Otto Porter</span> in his rookie debut. Sigh.</p>
<h4>TWEETS OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><span>Jan Vesely</span> dunk to end half for Wizards <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WizBucks&src=hash">#WizBucks</a> <a href="https://t.co/cOAB6cYqNo">https://t.co/cOAB6cYqNo</a></p>
— JoeGlo (@JoeGlo1) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGlo1/statuses/409129817335148544">December 7, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/William_Stokes">@William_Stokes</a> ugh i’m off my game that i missed that. well done.</p>
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikePradaSBN/statuses/409116273461559296">December 7, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>BREAKING: John Wall has been forced to play 1-on-5 vs. Milwaukee in the fourth quarter. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23LeaguePassAlert&src=hash">#LeaguePassAlert</a></p>
— HELLO my name is (@JohnCTownsend) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnCTownsend/statuses/409138142935928833">December 7, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Man, this would be a fun game if it weren't so terrible.</p>
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever/statuses/409143159013130240">December 7, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever">@BulletsForever</a> Wizards getting to .500 is like Icarus flying too close to the sun</p>
— Christopher Ingraham (@cwingraham) <a href="https://twitter.com/cwingraham/statuses/409152181649309696">December 7, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<h4>VIDEO/GIF OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p>This makes me smile way too much. "<i>YES.</i>" (H/T <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Truth_About_It">@Truth_About_It</a>)</p>
<p><iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/hxYLzInzBEB/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h4>GAMETHREAD COMMENT OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3686811/GT_comment.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3686811/GT_comment.png"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<h4>GAMETHREAD ROLLCALL</h4>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3686811/GT_comment.png" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th width="20">#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BealMVP4ever">BealMVP4ever</a></td>
<td>101</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Craig_">Craig_</a></td>
<td>97</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/qthaballa">qthaballa</a></td>
<td>94</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Wall_Hopeful">Wall_Hopeful</a></td>
<td>93</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/_Chris">_Chris</a></td>
<td>75</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/elliotlevy2">elliotlevy2</a></td>
<td>54</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Yeti60">Yeti60</a></td>
<td>53</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/neualex308">neualex308</a></td>
<td>52</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Big%20Purp">Big Purp</a></td>
<td>52</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Durant">Durant</a></td>
<td>46</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SladeKillah">SladeKillah</a></td>
<td>35</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>12</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/LRJ">LRJ</a></td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Do%20The%20John%20Wall">Do The John Wall</a></td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>14</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Max%20Zamphirescu">Max Zamphirescu</a></td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Gators2015_BB3">Gators2015_BB3</a></td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>16</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rice2012">Rice2012</a></td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/wanderwiz">wanderwiz</a></td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>18</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RobbieV">RobbieV</a></td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/daca">daca</a></td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>20</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KurisuDevil">KurisuDevil</a></td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thewiz06">thewiz06</a></td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>22</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/wad0cash">wad0cash</a></td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Banode">Banode</a></td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>24</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Asdesas">Asdesas</a></td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Big%20Spoon">Big Spoon</a></td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>26</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nichobert">nichobert</a></td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DCPerspective">DCPerspective</a></td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>28</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Young%20Wook%20Lee">Young Wook Lee</a></td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/capital%20city%20banana%20smushers">capital city banana smushers</a></td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>30</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Salem'sKeeper">Salem'sKeeper</a></td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mac%20The%20Fan">Mac The Fan</a></td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>32</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jontydeans">jontydeans</a></td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/pcakes00">pcakes00</a></td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>34</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/'SkinsFan214life">'SkinsFan214life</a></td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/segrt12">segrt12</a></td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>36</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ATrueNigerian">ATrueNigerian</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>37</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Entr0py">Entr0py</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>38</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/richkam14">richkam14</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>39</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dutch%20Hoopfan">Dutch Hoopfan</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>40</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FTT">FTT</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>41</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ThePGPhenomenon">ThePGPhenomenon</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>42</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WizforLife">WizforLife</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>43</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WIZ%20SPURTIN">WIZ SPURTIN</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>44</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/denny%20from%20yates">denny from yates</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>45</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tarheel723">tarheel723</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>46</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/gregjohnson1229">gregjohnson1229</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>47</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/John%20Wall%20Stan">John Wall Stan</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>48</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NRKgoSKINS">NRKgoSKINS</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>49</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mandark">Mandark</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>50</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/rayallenisaballer">rayallenisaballer</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>51</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BackScreenLob">BackScreenLob</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>52</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kudokensei">kudokensei</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>53</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Chillinois">Chillinois</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>54</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tbonebullets">Tbonebullets</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>55</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Great%20Vengeance%20and%20Furious%20Anger">Great Vengeance and Furious Anger</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>56</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Nubboi">Nubboi</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>57</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/gbkdc">gbkdc</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>58</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/oakhillsteeze">oakhillsteeze</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>59</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/zeke5123">zeke5123</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>60</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/knight13951">knight13951</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>61</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DCrez">DCrez</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>62</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TerpsAllTheWay">TerpsAllTheWay</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>63</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ilintar">ilintar</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>64</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DJWiz">DJWiz</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>65</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ant123">ant123</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>66</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/K-Bro">K-Bro</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>67</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/reglw22">reglw22</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>68</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/realwillthrill">realwillthrill</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>69</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/All%20dc%20and%20unc">All dc and unc</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>70</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/twistyroad">twistyroad</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>71</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/disgrunted">disgrunted</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>72</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Just_Win_Baby">Just_Win_Baby</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>73</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Izzy.Bae">Izzy.Bae</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>74</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mike%20Prada">Mike Prada</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3686811/GT_comment.png" target="_blank">
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css" rel="stylesheet"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3686811/GT_comment.png" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/7/5185218/magical-pixels-wizards-vs-bucks-washington-suffers-three-losses-inJeff Newman2013-12-06T21:54:31-05:002013-12-06T21:54:31-05:00Wiz let up against NBA's worst, fall in OT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6Dw8NcRY7aL0lKcBk6GFOslFCbQ=/0x12:4000x2679/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24651967/454023217.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rob Carr</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Wizards should have picked up an easy win against the worst team in the NBA. Instead, they fell behind by double digits, caught up, then allowed a game-tying three and lost to the Bucks, 109-105, in overtime.</p> <p>Flip Saunders used to have a saying, one he'd use when his team inevitably looked unprepared for a game early on and couldn't catch all the way up. He used it so many times in his two-plus year tenure that it became a broken record.</p>
<p>"The basketball gods," he'd say. "They always have a way of equaling things."</p>
<p>The final six minutes of this Wizards-Bucks game? That was the basketball gods equaling things. In the end, the Wizards' comeback from a 15-point deficit against the NBA's worst team ended in a game-tying three on a defensive breakdown, an overtime period where their offense looked like a bunch of headless chicken, and a game-tying attempt where the two non-injured starters collided with each other for an out of bounds call.</p>
<p>Milwaukee Bucks 109, Washington Wizards 105.</p>
<p>This is what happens when you get too comfortable. We don't know why the Wizards came out so unprepared, falling behind early and letting the lead swell to 15 points by the end of the first half. Could they have started believing their own press about being a .500 team, which really is no great accomplishment? It'd certainly be easy to make that conclusion.</p>
<p>And sure, that second-half comeback was nice. The Wizards ramped up the defensive effort, John Wall got his head into the game and took things over and Trevor Booker provided a huge lift. When Wall hit a tough jumper with just over a minute remaining to put Washington up five, it looked like it was over.</p>
<p>Instead, Khris Middleton got a really quick two, the Wizards wasted their next possession and Wall and Trevor Ariza botched a switch, allowing Brandon Knight to hit the game-tying three. A horrid overtime period where the Wizards only scored three points followed, and that was that.</p>
<p><span>Oh, and get better, Martell and Nene. This team needs you. </span></p>
<p>OTHER NOTES</p>
<ul>
<li>Otto Porter didn't really do much in his time on the court. I don't recall him doing anything positive, nor do I really remember any terrible breakdowns defensively. He took a couple anxious shots, which is not good, but one can understand those given his rustiness. He really was just a guy out there. A guy that, as expected, looked really rusty.</li>
<li>I suppose Nene's injury puts that second quarter in a new light. At the time, it made no sense that he didn't get the ball much even though he was guarded by a slender John Henson and was the only playmaker on the second unit. Maybe he was just too banged up to do much. Unfortunate.</li>
<li>As great as Wall played in the second half, there were way too many times where he let his man get by him off the dribble, lost his man on off ball action and gambled in the backcourt instead of getting back. Part of being the top guy is playing solidly the whole game instead of performing in spurts. This is the area I'm always most critical of him, not his jump shot. He will have bad shooting nights. He can't have these nights where his concentration isn't consistent.</li>
<li>When you have two starters go down with injuries, someone needs to step up and provide the very best of what they're capable of providing. You don't need players to act like a totally different version of themselves all the time; just the very best version of themselves. Trevor Booker provided the very best version of himself tonight.</li>
<li>I don't know what the heck happened on that final play where Wall and Ariza ran into each other. It appeared that they wanted to get Ariza slipping a screen going into the corner for three, but the two mistimed it and Ariza took an awful route to the corner. The bigger question: why did Randy Wittman draw up a play for a corner three when his team still had 20 seconds left to get a quick two? Why not try for a quick hitter to extend the game? That's bad coaching.</li>
</ul>
<div>This was a terrible loss, no question. Vent, but keep it clean. Onto the next one.</div>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/6/5184118/wizards-vs-bucks-score-final-nba-2013Mike Prada2013-12-06T20:55:39-05:002013-12-06T20:55:39-05:00Nene's done for the night<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/4953051">Nene's done for the&nbsp;night</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/6/5184084/nenes-done-for-the-nightMike Prada2013-12-06T19:49:05-05:002013-12-06T19:49:05-05:00Webster injures ankle vs. Bucks
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N1wh9a0H-bentkjiJ04WEf7vPAQ=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24650081/20131206_ajl_sb4_076.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Wizards' swingman came down painfully on his left foot at the end of the first quarter.</p> <p>Disaster may have struck the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a> on a meaningless half-court heave at the end of the first quarter. <span>Martell Webster</span> came down really hard on his left foot and was writing on the ground for a few minutes afterwards. He has a left ankle sprain and is listed as doubtful to return, according to Chris Miller on CSN Washington.</p>
<p>The whole play happened because <span>Eric Maynor</span> mismanaged a final possession, allowing the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> a chance for a fast-break dunk. The Wizards got it back with a few seconds left and Webster raced down for a 40-foot shot. As he launched in the air, he came down directly on his left foot. He immediately crouched over and had to eventually be helped off by Eric Waters.</p>
<p>Webster's absence means we may see a lot more of <span>Otto Porter</span> and <span>Chris Singleton</span> tonight on the wings, even if it means <span>Trevor Ariza</span> will have to shift down a spot to the 2 guard. The Wizards just don't have many other bench options.</p>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css"></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/6/5183914/martell-webster-injury-ankle-foot-bucksMike Prada2013-12-06T19:00:46-05:002013-12-06T19:00:46-05:00Your Wizards-Bucks game thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D5WUrOq3ZXdvrILmBZO3VaYg8Nc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24645365/20130628_jrc_ar4_262.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Discuss the game here</p> <table cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2012/2013 NBA Regular Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/wizards_alt_logo_hand.gif" height="72" width="80"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://content.sportslogos.net/logos/6/225/full/0295onf2c4xsbfsxye6i.gif" height="72" width="80"></center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>December 6, 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>CSN, 106.7 The Fan</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Starting Lineups</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">Brandon Knight</td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span>John Wall</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">O.J. Mayo</td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240">Martell Webster</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">Khris Middleton</td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240">Trevor Ariza</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">Ersan Ilyasova</td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240">Nene</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">John Henson</td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><p>Marcin Gortat</p></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>2013/14 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">92.1 (24th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">93.7 (15th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">96.9 (30th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">103.4 (20th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">107 (25th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">104 (10th)</td> </tr> <tr><th height="20" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">Also see: <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com">Brew Hoop</a> | <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/6/5180832/wizards-bucks-preview-otto-porter-debut">Preview</a> </th></tr> </tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/6/5183730/washington-wizards-rookie-otto-porter-to-make-his-season-debut" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">As Jeff noted</a>, Otto Porter is active and expected to play, though he won't be in for heavy minutes. Kevin Seraphin is out.</p>
<p>GO WIZARDS!</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/6/5183788/bucks-vs-wizards-game-time-tv-schedule-and-open-threadMike Prada2013-12-06T18:51:50-05:002013-12-06T18:51:50-05:00Otto is active, likely to play
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qTz9hjCFsiSgW-tuANdRjjYyRJg=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24644751/20130628_jrc_ar4_257.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Washington Wizards coach Randy Wittman confirmed that rookie Otto Porter will make his season debut Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> rookie <span>Otto Porter</span> will likely make his regular season debut Friday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, coach <span>Randy Wittman</span> said.</p>
<p>"We'll see. He's getting in another workout here, we'll see how he feels. It looks like it's going to be a go, so he'll be available tonight," Wittman said when asked about Porter's status during the coach's pregame media scrum.</p>
<p>Wittman said he was excited to finally see the No. 3-overall pick in the 2013 draft take the floor, but warned that Porter will be on some type of minutes limit given that he's yet to play a game this season.</p>
<p>"You're not going to stick him out there [for extended minutes]. He hasn't played a game yet, and he's had three practices. So we've got to be smart, see how he is, how he's moving, how hes playing," Wittman said. "He's going to be winded. I don't care how much conditioning he's done, he's going to be tired, and we've got to be careful with that. That's when situations can arise of hurting yourself."</p>
<p>The Wizards will be without <span>Bradley Beal</span>, <span>Al Harrington</span> and <span>Kevin Seraphin</span> against the Bucks.</p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/6/5183730/washington-wizards-rookie-otto-porter-to-make-his-season-debutJeff Newman2013-12-06T14:00:07-05:002013-12-06T14:00:07-05:00Wizards vs. Bucks: Above .500 >>>> .500
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/P36IYhMp5uHW6lSy9y0JN0Cj_dw=/0x430:4000x3097/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24591489/20131127_pjc_bs5_028.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Washington Wizards host the Milwaukee Bucks in what could be the pro debut of lottery pick Otto Porter. Here's what you need to know.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> have been on a roll lately. In case you hadn't heard, they're at .500 in December for the first time since 2007 and, with what should be a home game against the struggling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> tonight, they have a good shot at improving on their 9-9 record. What may be even more exciting is that lottery pick <span>Otto Porter</span> could make his long-awaited debut.</p>
<p><b>Where and when? </b>Tip off is at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Center.</p>
<p><b>Are they good?</b> Nope, not even at full health. The Bucks were a marginal playoff contender coming into the season, but an injury to defensive ace <span>Larry Sanders</span> and an under-performing offense has left the team with a 3-15 record. This is a team whose best case scenario was probably 40 wins and a sweep at the hands of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a> in the first round of the playoffs. One month into the season, they're already looking like they're going to be leaders in the Andrew Wiggins sweepstakes.</p>
<p><b>Who's out?</b> The Bucks will be missing Sanders, <span>Caron Butler</span> and <span>Carlos Delfino</span>, while centers <span>Zaza Pachulia</span> and <span>Ekpe Udoh</span> are both questionable for tonight after leaving Wednesday's game early. Washington is going to be missing <span>Bradley Beal</span> and <span>Al Harrington</span>, while Porter is a game-time decision.</p>
<p><b>What are they good at?</b> Not much. Milwaukee is 25th in the NBA in defensive rating and last in offensive rating. In short, they can't score and are bad at preventing anyone else from scoring, hence their 3-15 record. The defense should improve once Sanders, who could be a dark horse candidate for Defensive Player of the Year this season, returns. Udoh is also an excellent defender, capable of both protecting the rim with his length and shot blocking instincts and stepping out onto the perimeter to bottle up pick and rolls.</p>
<p><b>What are they bad at? </b>Putting the ball in the hole. OJ Mayo is leading the team in scoring with only 14.8 points per game, and no one else other than <span>Brandon Knight</span> and <span>Luke Ridnour</span> is particularly adept at creating anything off the dribble. Players like Ersan Illyasova and <span>John Henson</span> could actually be very useful if they were paired with a pass first point guard with good court vision and a small forward or big man who could draw a double team. Unfortunately, the Bucks don't have either of those. Knight tends to overdribble and look for his own shot, while the team's other shot creators, <span>Gary Neal</span> and Butler, just aren't that good. Meanwhile, all of the big men are good rebounders and can get the occasional garbage bucket, but none of them are particularly good in the pick and roll or posting up.</p>
<p><b>Are Ersan Illyasova and James Franco the same person?</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://nbadoppelgangers.tumblr.com/post/24035244755/ersanilyasova-jamesfranco">Yes</a>.</p>
<p><b>Will Otto Porter play? And if so, how much?</b> While Porter is still listed as a gametime decision, I suspect he'll finally play tonight. This is a fairly unimportant game against a weak opponenet, so it should help as far as easing him into the NBA. He's also been practicing without any setbacks, plus it's not like the team would need him to shoulder a heavy minutes load with <span>Martell Webster</span> and <span>Trevor Ariza</span> ahead of him in the rotation. My guess, and this is purely speculation, is that he'll make his debut late in the second quarter, play anywhere from ten to 15 minutes and put up a fairly pedestrian statline.</p>
<p><b>Who's going to win?</b> Washington is playing at home, plus they're just a better team, so the smart money is on the Wizards. That said, the Bucks' smaller lineups gave the team trouble during their last meeting, so it's possible they pull off the upset. If Washington loses, it will likely be because the Bucks' big men were able to move their feet well enough to keep <span>John Wall</span> out of the paint and take away the uncontested three pointers that Washington's wings have been feasting on as of late.</p>
<p><i><b>What do you think is going to happen tonight? Vote in our poll and sound off in the comments!</b></i></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/12/6/5180832/wizards-bucks-preview-otto-porter-debutThomas Pruitt