Bullets Forever - Wizards vs. Cavaliers: Washington suffers another letdown, falls, 115-113"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2014-02-09T13:35:58-05:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/51548672014-02-09T13:35:58-05:002014-02-09T13:35:58-05:00Wittman: 'We're not a good team'
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VggyYslgifWDvia0QJNPQR-YbRs=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28330179/20140207_ads_sb4_110.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After his team's latest confounding loss, Washington Wizards coach Randy Wittman said he has" to try something different" to get his players to take every game seriously.</p> <p>WASHINGTON -- "Lack of desire."</p>
<p>That was how <span>Randy Wittman</span> began his postgame press conference after watching his <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> team lose, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/2/7/5391418/wizards-vs-cavaliers-score-final-nba-2014">115-113</a>, to a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> squad that came in Friday riding a six-game losing streak that a day earlier prompted the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fearthesword.com/2014/2/6/5386528/cleveland-cavaliers-fire-general-manager-chris-grant/in/5151279">firing of general manager Chris Grant</a>.</p>
<p>The Wizards allowed the team with <a href="http://stats.nba.com/leagueTeamGeneral.html?sortField=FG_PCT&sortOrder=DES&Season=2013-14&pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=30&filters=&DateTo=02%2F06%2F2014">the third-worst shooting percentage in the NBA</a> to shoot 59.5 percent in the first half, and 51.9 percent for the game. Washington trailed by 11 with just under two minutes to play before a late rally made the final score much closer than the game felt.</p>
<p>This from the Wizards team coming off a three-game stretch during which they beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> before losing to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> in double overtime. When asked about his team's performance against the Cavs, Wittman didn't hold back.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">"Exerting your will on the game for 82 games, this team does not do. When we do that, we're pretty good, but we're not a good team because we don't do it all the time."<span>-Randy Wittman</span>
</div>
<p>"Mentally, we're just not tough enough right now. Mentally we're not tough enough, and what it also tells me is we don't want to pay the price yet of having to go for 82 games [and] not take a night off," Wittman said. "You're going to have a nights where you're gonna be off, but exerting your will on the game for 82 games, this team does not do. When we do that, we're pretty good, but we're not a good team because we don't do it all the time."</p>
<p>The hashtag <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SoWizards&src=typd">#SoWizards</a> exists as a kind of shorthand for Wizards fans (and NBA fans, really) to acknowledge when the team is once again doing the comically unexpected, typically in depressing fashion. Washington's last nine games exemplify what #SoWizards is all about: victories against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> (30-20), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> (30-21), Thunder (40-12) and Blazers (35-15), losses to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> (17-33), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> (35-18), Spurs (37-14) and Cavs (17-33).</p>
<p>In detailing his team's up-and-down nature, Wittman perfectly described the essence of #SoWizards.</p>
<p>"We just think sometimes we can just show up. 'Maybe tonight will be a little easier tonight. I don't have to exert as much energy tonight. Let's see if we can get away with that.' Then you give up 67 points later in the first half, and you're in a dogfight," he said. "We're not a very good team. Good teams don't do that over and over and over again, and we have. We can get all caught up in .500, and like I told you guys what that meant - nothing - and think that you've arrived, but good teams do not lose basketball games like this nine, 10, 11 times halfway through the season, and that's what we're doing."</p>
<p>Wittman blasted his team's effort against the Cavs -- "We told them what that organization is going through right now, some tough times with the firing of their GM, they're gonna be desperate, always happens no matter who it is that gets fired" -- and said getting it to approach every game the same way "falls on my shoulders."</p>
<p>"You try to give them time off, rest...I've got to try something different to get these guys ready. We're not right now willing to pay the price to be a good team, and that's every night, doesn't matter who you're playing, every night just going out and just laying it on the line. Good teams do that, and we don't do that. It's been proven," he said. "Until we are willing from a mental standpoint to say you know what, we've got to do this every night, we're going to be win two, lose two, win three, lose three. That's what we're going to be, and I think they can be better than that. I think they can be better than that, but not with that thought process going into games like this."</p>
<p>In the locker room, players put the onus of getting up for games, regardless of opponent, on themselves.</p>
<p>"Each one of us has to find a way to get ready for the game and focus and just try to play the game like he's playing the last time of his life, and sometimes we just don't do that," <span>Marcin Gortat</span> said.</p>
<p>"I think coach is doing a heck of a job. I don't think there's nothing more you can [do to] motivate us. You're in this situation where you finally get over .500, and then you got an opportunity to beat the Spurs and you let that game go away, and then you come back and have an opportunity to play an OK team that's struggling, going through so much, especially just losing their GM in the Cavaliers, and you don't go out there and show the respect to those guys, and they came out here and slapped us in the face and beat us," <span>John Wall</span> said. "So I don't think there's nothing more you can do. He does everything he can in practice, he shows us the game schemes and the concepts, we're the ones as players that gotta go out there and put our heart on the line and compete."</p>
<p>Wall also backed his coach's assessment of the team.</p>
<p>"I think the same way," Wall said. "If you're a good team, you played good those last three games against the best three teams in the West, and had a chance to go undefeated against those...[Wittman] came back and told us that this is the biggest game of the year, to see where you stand as a team and see if you're taking the right steps forward, and we're nowhere near close to taking those steps forward because we didn't improve."</p>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/2/9/5394818/randy-wittman-washington-wizards-cleveland-cavaliersJeff Newman2014-02-08T08:58:17-05:002014-02-08T08:58:17-05:00Magical Pixels: That was bad
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_DQmi2NzuJo6FOsABG4NlM3uBtg=/0x611:2667x2389/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28282621/20140207_ads_sb4_115.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We thought the Washington Wizards might have turned the corner over the past couple weeks. Silly us.</p> <p>It was fun while it lasted, eh gang? The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> fell back below .500 last night with a 115-113 loss at home to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>, who came in as the losers of six straight and eight of their last nine, and having just fired their general managers.</p>
<p>Washington, D.C., where the rest of the NBA comes to get right. Why does it seem like teams in turmoil always reach their tipping point just before playing the Wizards, who then reciprocate with an apathetic effort?</p>
<p>Ugh. All you really need to know is that Cleveland shot 59.5 percent in the first half...and it felt worse than that. Somehow the Wizards were only down four at that point, but once they came out with the same (dismal) effort in the third quarter, it was pretty clear where this game was headed.</p>
<p>Too bad, because they wasted a pretty good game from <span>John Wall</span>, who finished with 32 points and 10 assists. Actually, all the starters not named <span>Bradley Beal</span> played decently. <span>Marcin Gortat</span> (19 points, eight rebounds,) Nene (13 points, eight rebounds) and <span>Trevor Ariza</span> (14 points, six rebounds) weren't the problem, at least not offensively. Beal, yeesh, finished 4-for-15, with only one of those shot attempts coming from beyond the three-point line. You can probably guess where he took a bulk of those shots. <span>Martell Webster</span>, on the other hand, didn't attempt a shot from inside the arc, and finished with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from three.</p>
<p>But the real problem last night was defensive effort, and the Cavs repeatedly beat Wizards off the dribble and got up shots without having to work for them. Randy Wittman was not pleased, and laid into his team during his postgame presser, calling them "not a good team." We'll have more on that later. In the meantime, try to forget this one.</p>
<h4>KEY LINKS</h4>
<p><b>Home team recaps: </b><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/2/7/5390826/washington-wizards-cleveland-cavaliers-february-2014" target="_blank">BF StoryStream</a> | Washington Post (<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/cavaliers-115-wizards-113-washington-drops-back-below-500-with-loss-to-cleveland/2014/02/07/ca392dbc-9065-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html" target="_blank">gamer</a>, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/wp/2014/02/08/wizards-once-again-let-down-guard-against-an-inferior-foe-at-home/" target="_blank">sidebar</a>) | <a href="http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/02/05/wizards-lose-to-16th-straight-to-spurs-in-2ot-drop-back-to-500/" target="_blank">AP</a> | CSN Washington (<a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/instant-analysis-cavs-115-wizards-113" target="_blank">recap</a>, <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/wake-call-players-refuse-blame-wittman-failures" target="_blank">sidebar</a>) | <a href="http://wizofawes.com/2014/02/07/wizards-play-to-competition-fall-to-cavaliers/" target="_blank">Wiz of Awes</a> | <a href="http://dcprosportsreport.com/wiz-surprised-by-cavs/" target="_blank">DC Pro Sports Report</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/game-recap-wizards-113-cavaliers-115" target="_blank">Wizards.com</a> | <a href="http://washingtonwizardsblog.monumentalnetwork.com/2014/02/07/wizcavs-gameday-blog" target="_blank">Monumental Network</a> | <a href="http://dailywizdom.monumentalnetwork.com/2014/02/08/dailywizdomfeb8" target="_blank">Daily Wizdom</a></p>
<p><b>Road team recaps:</b> <a href="http://www.fearthesword.com/2014/2/7/5391696/final-score-cleveland-cavaliers-defeat-washington-wizards-115-113" target="_blank">Fear The Sword</a> | <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/02/cleveland_cavaliers_snap_six-g.html" target="_blank">The Plain Dealer</a> | <a href="http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/cavs-115-wizards-113-kyrie-irving-has-23-points-12-assists-and-cavs-end-six-game-losing-streak-1.465158" target="_blank">Akron Beacon Journal</a> | <a href="http://rightdowneuclid.com/2014/02/07/cleveland-cavaliers-play-pulse-outlast-washington-wizards-115-113/" target="_blank">Right Down Euclid</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/teamsites/cavaliers/recap/wizards-140207" target="_blank">Cavs.com</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/games/wizards/2014/02/07/0021300742-cle-was-recap.nba/" target="_blank">Game highlights</a></p>
<p><b>Postgame interviews: </b><a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/wittman-postgame-2714" target="_blank">Randy Wittman</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/john-wall-postgame-2-7-14" target="_blank">John Wall</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/bradley-beal-postgame-2-7-14" target="_blank">Bradley Beal</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/trevor-ariza-postgame-2-7-14" target="_blank">Trevor Ariza</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/marcin-gortat-postgame-2-7-14" target="_blank">Marcin Gortat</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/irving-postgame-2714" target="_blank">Kyrie Irving</a></p>
<h4>KEY STATS</h4>
<p><b>11</b> - Cleveland's rebounding advantage (45-34) against Washington.</p>
<p><b>13</b> - Cleveland's free throw advantage against Washington. The Cavs made 29 of their 33 freebie attempts (87.9 percent), while the Wizards made only 16 of 23 (69.6 percent).</p>
<h4>TWEETS OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Cavaliers shot a season-best 59.5% from the field in 1st half to take 67-63 lead at Wizards. <a href="http://t.co/7nv6JV4PNj">pic.twitter.com/7nv6JV4PNj</a></p>
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/statuses/431958200485572609">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>If I had to guess, <span>Randy Wittman's</span> halftime speech <a href="http://t.co/RhGOkEZrFR">pic.twitter.com/RhGOkEZrFR</a></p>
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever/statuses/431958518841622528">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>An alternate "If I had to guess, Randy Wittman's halftime speech" : <a href="http://t.co/N0PKgiNV78">pic.twitter.com/N0PKgiNV78</a></p>
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever/statuses/431961069653737472">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Randy Wittman is totally the Lee J. Cobb of the NBA.</p>
— Amin Vafa (@AminNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AminNBA/statuses/431961201229463552">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wittman&src=hash">#Wittman</a> on the sidelines, every night… <a href="https://twitter.com/AminNBA">@aminnba</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever">@bulletsforever</a> <a href="http://t.co/2rDhrj6X2U">pic.twitter.com/2rDhrj6X2U</a></p>
— Boy Genius (@BoyGeniusLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoyGeniusLA/statuses/431961797935919104">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/Truth_About_It">@Truth_About_It</a>: There went Vesely's chance. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NBAsadfaces&src=hash">#NBAsadfaces</a> <a href="http://t.co/y5lN96AhdS">pic.twitter.com/y5lN96AhdS</a></p>
— T.J. Doyle (@gheorghetheblog) <a href="https://twitter.com/gheorghetheblog/statuses/431970774472077313">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Shit stomp" sounds accurate. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/Omega_Rex">@Omega_Rex</a>: Really? The Cavs? We're just gunna let the Cavaliers shit stomp us? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wizards&src=hash">#wizards</a></p>
— Hoop District (@HoopDistrictDC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopDistrictDC/statuses/431969615263330305">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>John Wall is one of these guys where when the toothpaste roll is empty, he finds a way to squeeze more out</p>
— dc_fusion (@dc_fusion) <a href="https://twitter.com/dc_fusion/statuses/431965673645166592">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Beal attacked the basket relentlessly against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>. Settles tonight. Defense plays well against West powerhouses. Then this. I give up</p>
— Umair Khan (@UKhanNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/UKhanNBA/statuses/431970360805064704">February 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<h4>VIDEO/GIF OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p>Remember, the Wizards lost by two. (H/T <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/adammcginnis">@adammcginnis</a>)</p>
<p><iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/MaLtY6QBeta/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 target="_blank" href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3975867/GT_comment.png"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3975867/GT_comment.png"></a> <br id="1391865326356"></p>
<h4>GAMETHREAD ROLLCALL</h4>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/qthaballa">qthaballa</a></td>
<td>139</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Wall_Hopeful">Wall_Hopeful</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/HailSkinz">HailSkinz</a></td>
<td>74</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/richkam14">richkam14</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/elliotlevy2">elliotlevy2</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/neualex308">neualex308</a></td>
<td>48</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rice2012">Rice2012</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dc_chilling">dc_chilling</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Singhgidda">Singhgidda</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/abala">abala</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WASwizardsfan671">WASwizardsfan671</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Gators2015_BB3">Gators2015_BB3</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/LeHalfrican">LeHalfrican</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DCKRS">DCKRS</a></td>
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<td>30</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/almacy">almacy</a></td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tw10">tw10</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>32</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Banode">Banode</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RCpige">RCpige</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>34</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/gavalon55">gavalon55</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/freshcat">freshcat</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>36</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jaffejoe">jaffejoe</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>37</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jazzy1">jazzy1</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>38</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ryan%20Mourton">Ryan Mourton</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>39</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ATrueNigerian">ATrueNigerian</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>40</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/johnny%20obeid">johnny obeid</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>41</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/'SkinsFan214life">'SkinsFan214life</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>42</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tarheel723">tarheel723</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>43</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thewiz06">thewiz06</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>44</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FTT">FTT</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>45</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Pluto1911">Pluto1911</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>46</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/t0Shihiro">t0Shihiro</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>47</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kudokensei">kudokensei</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>48</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PrymeTyme301">PrymeTyme301</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>49</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/John%20Wall%20Stan">John Wall Stan</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>50</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/p.robb87">p.robb87</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>51</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DCeee">DCeee</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>52</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BigPenisArenas">BigPenisArenas</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>53</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jolly%20Greene">Jolly Greene</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>54</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/satchmore">satchmore</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>55</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bartek.biadasiewicz">bartek.biadasiewicz</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>56</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Im_So_DC">Im_So_DC</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>57</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/The%20Hoops%20Guru">The Hoops Guru</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>58</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/spanishfalcon">spanishfalcon</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>59</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/forthepeople">forthepeople</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>60</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/silver-lining">silver-lining</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>61</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>62</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nesby8">nesby8</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>63</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TJWater">TJWater</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/2/8/5392296/magical-pixels-wizards-vs-cavaliers-washington-lays-an-egg-at-homeJeff Newman2014-02-07T22:06:00-05:002014-02-07T22:06:00-05:00Wiz let down again, fall to Cavs
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oXYh5leTjmMJVCJx0aj80ju3F1g=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28272147/20140207_mje_sb4_1837.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Yup, another letdown game. The Wizards fell to the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers, 115-113.</p> <p>So ladies and gentlemen... Let's take some deep breaths...</p>
<p><span>The Cavaliers played their first game after the firing of General Manager Chris Grant so to be honest, I expected them to play a competitive game. They came to D.C. tonight having lost six games in a row. Also, g</span><span>iven that the Wizards just came off a competitive, yet tough loss to the Spurs last Wednesday, you'd think that they would come back with another strong effort and get them back above .500.</span></p>
<p>But, in typical Wizards fashion, they didn't. And the end result was a disappointing 115-113 loss against a lowly team, the latest in a season filled with them. The Wizards have now lost home games to the Bucks, 76ers, Pistons, Celtics (without Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley), Nuggets (without Ty Lawson), Spurs (without Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker for a half plus) and Cavaliers. Twice.</p>
<p>Let's re-live the carnage.</p>
<p>In the first half, the Cavs shot 59.5 percent overall. The Wizards, 54.3 percent. Basically, this was a shootout when you look at the scoreboard, since Cleveland was up 67-63. We saw a lot of Cavs score points and make shots at a high rate, in particular C.J. Miles and Dion Waiters. Waiters scored 24 points in the game.</p>
<p>And to top it all off, much-maligned No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett also had a strong half. He scored seven points during the first two quarters, more than double his season scoring average! To be fair, <a target="_blank" href="http://stats.nba.com/playerProfile.html?PlayerID=203461">he's scored double digits</a> in three of his last six games.</p>
<p>The good guys had their moments. They made 7-10 threes in the half, four by Martell Webster. John Wall had a couple good fast break buckets, including a driving layup at the end of the first quarter. Trevor Ariza and Marcin Gortat also played well too. While the Wizards had a 38-32 lead at the end of the first, they didn't attempt a free throw, maybe because they were making a lot of shots. That was a concern for me, and it bit them when they cooled off a little bit in the second.</p>
<p>Then in the second half, <span>the Wizards weren't able to get back to a lead. We saw Wall get called for a foul on Kyrie Irving while attempting a three, which got the Cleveland lead up to 80-72. The Wizards then chipped away at the lead to get it to 81-78, but the Cavs responded to get lead back up eight, 93-85. And they were still shooting nearly 60 percent for the game! Will they ever cool off?</span></p>
<p>Nope. After a Dion Waiters three which got the score up to 97-87 in the fourth, that became clear. Cleveland got to a lead as high as 14 points at one point before the Wizards made a last-ditch comeback. T<span>hings got very interesting in the last two minutes, as Martell hit two threes in the last seconds of the game. When Jarrett Jack missed two free throws, it was just a two-point game with 2.9 seconds left. But Jack deflected Nene's outlet pass, and that pretty much sealed it.</span></p>
<p>This is an emotionally-frustrating loss for the Wizards, and for us. It's not so much about the Cavaliers. Give them credit for the win. It's just that the Wizards went 3-2 in a season-defining stretch against five top teams in the Western Conference ... then submitted that effort.</p>
<p>We need to see the Wizards win consistently against teams that don't figure to make the playoffs this season. And that's not happening right now on a consistent basis.</p>
<p><b>Other notes:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>John Wall was honored earlier tonight and showed his All-Star Jersey. He addressed the crowd before the game.</span></li>
<li><span>The 67 points Washington gave up in the first half was the most points they have given up for the 2013-2014 season.</span></li>
<li><span>Wall was the leading scorer today with 32 points and 10 assists. </span></li>
<li><span>Kyrie Irving is sometimes accused of not involving his teammates as well as he could be. I just think that he is in a position not unlike John Wall was before the Nene trade. Anyway, in the first half, Irving had a double double with 12 points and 10 assists. He finished with 23 and 12.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/2/7/5391418/wizards-vs-cavaliers-score-final-nba-2014Albert Lee2014-02-07T18:39:03-05:002014-02-07T18:39:03-05:00Kyrie's in, Deng's out<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/5154867">Kyrie's in, Deng's&nbsp;out</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/2/7/5391384/kyries-in-dengs-outMike Prada2014-02-07T15:17:51-05:002014-02-07T15:17:51-05:00Cavs @ Wizards Preview: Freefallin' Cavs
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kSrJSDeikIxxnLSlJuMzkV8whTU=/492x417:3959x2728/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28255545/20131120_mjm_aq4_120.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric P. Mull-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cavaliers bring their literal and emotional baggage to the Verizon Center tonight. Here's what we can expect from the second visit by this team.</p> <p id="paragraph1">If you haven't been paying attention or have been living under a rock, then you wouldn't have known that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cavaliers</a> are the most-talked-about team in the NBA right now... and not for good reasons. The Cavs were expected to be entering the "we've set the foundation, and now we need the big piece" part of their rebuild this year, and they have instead looked terrible. Reports of infighting, lackadaisical play, petulance, and a losing streak culminated in a home loss on Wednesday against a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> team with LITERALLY FOUR eligible players and the Thursday firing of the General Manager who constructed this rebuild.</p>
<p>The Cavs are in a freefall, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> need to make sure the away team doesn't pull the ripcord and land safely on its feet tonight in Chinatown.</p>
<p id="paragraph4"><b>Where and when?</b> Tip off is at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Center. You can watch the game on Comcast SportsNet.</p>
<p>
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<p id="paragraph5"><b>Are they good?</b> Nope. They should be. In fact, they should be probably exactly as good as the Wizards, based on roster construction and rebuild trajectory. But alas, they are in disarray.</p>
<p id="paragraph6"><b>Who's out?</b> For the Wizards, <span>Al Harrington</span> again. But hopefully, he'll be back soon! And Kyrie Irving didn't shoot around this morning because he is sick. So we may never get that John Wall Bradley Beal Kyrie Irving <span>Dion Waiters</span> game of our dreams. Well, at least my dreams.</p>
<p id="paragraph7"><b>What are they good at?</b> Honestly, it's difficult to tell at this point. It's clear that this team is not equal to the sum of its parts, so on any given night, they could do something better than something else.</p>
<p id="paragraph8"><b>What are they bad at?</b> Meeting expectations.</p>
<p id="paragraph9"><b>Who's going to win?</b> There's always the chance that a team gets the ol' "hey, let's win one for the guy who just got fired!" win, but that usually happens with a coach and not a GM. Regardless, the Wizards lost in overtime to the Cavs last time they were in D.C., so I don't think the Wizards can afford to sleep on them. I think the Wizards will win, but I think they need to make sure they don't let Cleveland manage a Hulk-strength win.</p>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/2/7/5390712/washington-wizards-cleveland-cavaliers-february-2014-chris-grant-firedAmin Vafa2014-02-07T11:34:53-05:002014-02-07T11:34:53-05:00Could Kyrie sit tonight?<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/5154867">Could Kyrie sit&nbsp;tonight?</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/2/7/5389976/could-kyrie-sit-tonightMike Prada