Maybe We All Need to 'Chill'
You've got to believe that in a professional sports league like the NBA, players don't take the trash talk too seriously. How can they? They're all paid to win, so they all believe they will win.
Perhaps that doesn't apply to former NBA player and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley, who was appalled by some of the pre-playoff assertions made by DeShawn Stevenson and Gilbert Arenas.
To be exact, Barkley called the Wizards "the dumbest team in the history of civilization."
Were Stevenson and Arenas wrong to run their mouths? One reader thinks so:
canamp: The Wizards have more talent than the Cavs and should win. However, none of their players have established a history of winning, but rather have a legacy of jawjacking. Stop talking and play ball. Your team should beat the cavs, instead of acting like winneres you behave like you are professional wrestlers, grow up and man up DeShawn, You are not in high school, act like a professional and not an adolescent.
Another Wizards fan likes the talk:
BT23:I like the attitude. It shows that they are not afraid and that they will take it to the Cavs. Will they win the series, who knows, but at least they are not looking to be "witnesses" (or whatever that stupid slogan was).
ahs78graduate: Stevenson is an absolute idiot. LeBron ate him for lunch and will do it again. As for Arenas, he actually hasn't proven a doggone thing. He put up a lot of good numbers but showed that he's not really a TEAM player. The Wizards will not win this series. Another 1st round knockout.
So you're saying that the Cavs will knock out the Wizards, but not before LeBron eats Stevenson for lunch? Good thing you're not getting into the whole trash-talking thing.
clwalker1906: Ahs or whatever your name is. What are they suppose to say...oh we won't win this series, or we don't have a chance? Last I remember LeBron missed that big shot after Stevenson got into his head. Seems like we can read who the true idiot is.
ahs78graduate: CLWalker, No they are supposed to believe they can win but you can believe you are going to win and express your confidence without degrading or downgrading your opponent. As far as LeBron missing big shots, who won the last PLAYOFF series between Cavs & Wiz and how did it happen? Check 1,2.
We should all listen to ahs78graduate: "you can believe you are going to win and express your confidence without degrading or downgrading your opponent." So, for example, don't say that your team's star player could eat one of the opposing team's players for lunch. Is that a good example?
To repeat the wise words of DeShawn Stevenson, ahs78graduate, you need to "chill."
By Lindsay Applebaum |
April 17, 2008; 12:55 PM ET
| Category:
Wizards
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Posted by: Papa Smurf | April 17, 2008 1:56 PM
I was listening to Tim Legler on the radio this morning and he said that "Bulletin Board Material" is a complete and total invention of the media.
He said once they're out on the court at practice, in the film room or at the arena for the game, players care less who said what to the press.
I seriously doubt that LeBron James wants to win any more or less because of something DeShaun Stevenson said.
The Wiz are going to win the East. I feel it, ya'll.
Posted by: Rex Chapman | April 17, 2008 2:53 PM
I never understood the whole "bulletin board" thing. Was LeBron planning on letting the Wizards have this one until Stevenson started talking? The Wizards should try to get in their heads! We all remember the Cavs did the same thing in '06 when Gil was shooting free throws.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 17, 2008 3:57 PM
I like the way the Wiz have approached this. Does nobody here remember the smack LeBron talked to Gilbert 2 years ago with the free-throws after all of the 100% crap non-calls on his travels?
Or the way the Cavs won last year against a broken Wiz team? The Cavs come into the Phone Booth each game with a swagger and step that they just think they are going to win. Even if it risks making LeBron play at a superhuman level, I really like the way the Wiz are growing some backbone and standing up for themselves. Maybe all the talk with motivate them and show the Cavs that they won't just walk all over the Wizards again this year.
Posted by: DaveP | April 17, 2008 4:24 PM
The Wizards will take the Cavs in this series, without a doubt. These commments above are border line ridiculous for the following reason:
1.) Anybody agreeing with Charles Barkley is a moron in and of itself... His comments were like the pot calling the kettle black... Oh yeah and by the way, what has Barkley won? Nothing, so perhaps he should not be talking about winning.
2.) Deshawn has his swagger, it seemed to work in the last game against the Cavs and I believe will make him elevate his game.
3.) We would have beaten the Cavs two years ago, had the Refs remembered that Lebron has to dribble the ball to get from the three point line to the basket.
4.) Last year, we would have taken them too... except we got the injury bug...
It's on this year, we will take them in 6. Finally, I would like David Stern for being so respectful to Washington DC Sports and scheduling the Wiz game during the Caps game...
Posted by: Senk2424 | April 17, 2008 4:41 PM
Get em', Senk2424!!! Preach on!
Posted by: YES! | April 17, 2008 5:12 PM
Lindsay,
I love Crowd Noise. It's a shame that Ovechkin won't be able to meet the New York Rangers in the playoffs.
- Your favorite Elkton 5 floormate
Posted by: Dan | April 17, 2008 11:04 PM
Sorry to say it but DeShaun is doing nothing but getting the Cavs pumped up to beat them for the 4th time in a playoff series.
Now that he took a swing at Le Bron's head with a closed fist, the Cavaliers and their fans are going to put the Wizards team on the golf course in short order.
That is not the way to play sports.
Deshaun is a thug.
Oh well, maybe next year.
Posted by: Chazmo | April 28, 2008 5:14 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
When the future governor of Alabama says the Wizards are the "dumbest team in the history of civilization" I tend to believe him. Until Le Wiz can actually win a series in the playoffs they should shut their yaps and actually prove themselves on the court. Anyone care to guess what's posted on the Cleveland Bulletin Board today?