Wizards Insider: November 30, 2008 - December 6, 2008
Wizards at Bulls
Information on tonight's game: Wizards starters: JaVale McGee, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, Dee Brown. (Record as a group: 2-7; all others: 1-7). Inactives: Brendan Haywood, Gilbert Arenas, Oleksiy Pecherov. Bulls starters: Joakim Noah, Drew Gooden, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Derrick Rose Inactives: Michael Ruffin (sprained left ankle)...
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Ivan Carter
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December 6, 2008; 5:53 PM ET |
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The Other Side: Chicago Bulls
Oh, wait. Let's watch that replay of your crossover on Andre Miller one . . . more . . . time. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) The Chicago Bulls experienced a campaign last season similar to the one the woeful Washington Wizards are having right now. A...
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Michael Lee
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December 6, 2008; 11:21 AM ET |
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Lakers 106, Wizards 104
Turning point: Wizards F Caron Butler missed a potential game-winning three-pointer and the buzzer sounded before Andray Blatche could attempt a putback layup. The play was set up after Kobe Bryant uncharacteristically missed a free throw that would have given the Lakers a three-point lead with 14.3 seconds remaining....
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Ivan Carter
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December 5, 2008; 10:53 PM ET |
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Lakers at Wizards (Zephyrs)
Information on tonight's game: Wizards starters: JaVale McGee, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, Dee Brown. Inactives: Brendan Haywood, Gilbert Arenas, Oleksiy Pecherov Lakers starters: Andrew Bynum, Paul Gasol, Vladimir Radmanovic, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher. Refs: Jim Clark, Derrick Stafford, Brian Forte Line: Lakers by 11 1/2 Notables: The Wizards...
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Ivan Carter
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December 5, 2008; 5:13 PM ET |
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The Other Side: Los Angeles Lakers
I've tasted success. I've tasted champagne after three NBA championships. I tasted a gold medal this summer. But nothing compares to the taste ... of this jersey. (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) As Ivan pointed out in his story today, Verizon Center will likely look and sound like...
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Michael Lee
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December 5, 2008; 2:03 PM ET |
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Nick Young's Breakout Game
An interesting angle to tonight's game against the Lakers involves Wizards guard Nick Young, who grew up in Los Angeles as a huge fan of Kobe Bryant and the purple and gold. One of my favorite memories of last season came in March when Young dropped a season- and...
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Ivan Carter
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December 5, 2008; 8:56 AM ET |
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Wizards to Wear Throwbacks vs. Lakers
(Courtesy Washington Wizards ) As Ivan mentioned in today's newspaper, tomorrow the Wizards will wear throwback uniforms -- modeled here by Antawn Jamison -- commemorating the 1962-63 Chicago Zephyrs. It is also honoring the 45th anniversary of ownership by Abe Pollin. A brief history: According to hoopedia.nba.com, the Washington...
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Alexa Steele
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December 4, 2008; 3:36 PM ET |
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Thursday Update: Fixing Mistakes
With his team coming off of one back-to-back and facing another (tomorrow night against the Lakers at VC and Saturday night at Chicago), Wizards Coach Ed Tapscott ran a shorter practice than usual but did hold an extensive film session with an emphasis on the breakdowns that led to...
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Ivan Carter
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December 4, 2008; 2:05 PM ET |
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Who's the Most Disappointing?
In the NBA, patience might be a hard-to-find virtue. Already, the Raptors have fired Sam Mitchell, though his team was 8-9. The 76ers, at 8-11, aren't happy with how their marquee acquisition, Elton Brand, has meshed with the roster. Warriors coach Don Nelson, as noted yesterday, isn't considering the playoffs...
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Keith McMillan
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December 4, 2008; 11:30 AM ET |
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Losing Basketball Means Dead Crowds
Even when Gilbert Arenas was healthy and doing his thing, I always felt that crowds at Verizon Center were among the most laid back in the NBA but now that Arenas is out (again) and the Wizards are struggling, the place is dead. Last night, the Wiz lost 98-92...
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Ivan Carter
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December 4, 2008; 8:39 AM ET |
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Portland 98, Wizards 92
-Key to the game: Former Wizard Steve Blake made three of four free throws in the final 13.2 seconds, Brandon Roy scored 12 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and the WIzards had a few breakdowns late in the game. -MVP: Roy. He controlled the action when it...
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Ivan Carter
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December 3, 2008; 10:39 PM ET |
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Blazers at Wizards, Butler Will Play
Caron Butler update: he will play after bumping knees with New Jersey's Bobby Simmons last night. Wizards starters: Dee Brown, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, JaVale McGee. Blazers starters: Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden. Wiz inactives: Gilbert Arenas, Brendan Haywood, Oleksiy Pecherov. Refs:...
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Ivan Carter
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December 3, 2008; 5:20 PM ET |
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Point Guard Questions
Earlier today, Ivan pointed out that Dee Brown had his best game as a Wizard last night against the New Jersey Nets (8 points, 7 assists). With veteran Antonio Daniels still bothered by soreness in his right knee, who would you rather see in the starting lineup? poll by twiigs.com...
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Alexa Steele
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December 3, 2008; 4:05 PM ET |
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The Other Side: Portland Trail Blazers
Way to go, Brandon. Reminded me of myself when I was younger. Okay, maybe not. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The Wizards go from facing the Eastern Conference player of the week (New Jersey's Devin Harris) one night, to getting the Western Conference player of the week (Brandon Roy) the next. Roy...
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Michael Lee
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December 3, 2008; 2:05 PM ET |
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Ball Movement Key to Win
Two things stood out to me after watching a replay of last night's 108-88 win at New Jersey: 1. Dee Brown played by far his best game as a Wizard. 2. The overall ball movement was outstanding. Obviously the two things were related. Brown, who continues to start at...
By
Ivan Carter
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December 3, 2008; 12:03 PM ET |
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When Are the Playoffs No Longer Reasonable?
Don Nelson's team is off to a 5-13 start, and the longtime coach has never been one to mince words. Lately, he's been sharing his feeling that he's not coaching a team destined for the playoffs. "I kind of have to say it the way it is," Nelson said in...
By
Keith McMillan
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December 3, 2008; 8:42 AM ET |
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To the Victor, Goes the Jokes
The Wizards need to win more often. Not only for their mental well-being, but also for the sake of comic relief. Needless to say, the Wizards haven't had much to laugh about this season, but after their 108-88 win over New Jersey, the locker room was filled with jokes. As...
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Michael Lee
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December 3, 2008; 12:00 AM ET |
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Tags: Butler, Jamison, Nets, Pecherov, Songaila, Wizards, Young
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Wizards at Nets
Information on tonight's game: Wizards starters: JaVale McGee, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, Dee Brown. Inactives: Brendan Haywood, Gilbert Arenas, Oleksiy Pecherov. Nets starters: Brook Lopez, Yi Jianlian, Bobby Simmons, Devin Harris, Vince Carter. Inactives: Maurice Ager, Josh Boone, Eduardo Najera Refs: Ron Garretson, Leroy Richardson, Courtney Kirkland. Line:...
By
Michael Lee
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December 2, 2008; 6:57 PM ET |
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The Other Side: New Jersey Nets
Just make sure you outscore the Wizards' backcourt by yourself, and we'll be fine. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) It's been only one month, but the New Jersey Nets sure don't look like a team destined to be the worst in the Eastern Conference, as so many -- including me...
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Michael Lee
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December 2, 2008; 8:28 AM ET |
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Monday Update: Difficult Schedule
Tough week ahead for a 2-12 team that is searching for something to feel good about: The Wizards are at New Jersey tomorrow night, home to Portland and the Lakers Wednesday and Friday night and at Chicago Saturday night. "The most important one is tomorrow," Antawn Jamison said. "We're...
By
Ivan Carter
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December 1, 2008; 2:54 PM ET |
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MMPG: The FourCast
C'mon, man. It's bad enough I haven't figured out how to play with Elton Brand. Now you won't let me see anything, either.(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) 1. Orlando at Boston (Monday) Of note: Probably the best matchup of the week, this game features two red-hot teams -- the Celtics...
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Michael Lee
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December 1, 2008; 1:29 PM ET |
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MMPG: Player of the Week
Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets Oh yeah, it's not just Dallas. I used to be a Wizard, too. (AP Photo by Rick Scuteri) The Dallas Mavericks won't admit it while Jason Kidd is still with the team, but almost every time he steps on the court this season, Devin Harris...
By
Michael Lee
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December 1, 2008; 12:35 PM ET |
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Big Hill to Climb
The Wizards were off yesterday but will be back on the court for practice today. Check back later for an update. In the meantime, put some thought into the playoff picture. Yes, it's still crazy early in the season to seriously think about seeding but when you look at...
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Ivan Carter
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December 1, 2008; 11:31 AM ET |
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MMPG: Team of the Weak
Golden State Warriors Oh, no, Jamal. I'm not kidding. When it comes to losing, we're nothing like New York. We're on another level in the Bay. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) There was a lot of competition for the honors, rather dishonors, this week. Memphis has lost six...
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Michael Lee
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December 1, 2008; 11:02 AM ET |
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MMPG: Team of the Week
Portland Trail Blazers We might look goofy right now, but you just wait until everybody is looking up at us. (AP Photo) They aren't the hottest the team in the NBA (Boston has won eight in a row) or even the Western Conference (the Lakers have won seven), but if...
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Michael Lee
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December 1, 2008; 10:33 AM ET |
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Monday Morning Point Guard
Wait up Steph, am I Bird or Magic? Practice? We talking about practice? Not a game. Not a game. We're talking about a practice Allen Iverson skipped to upset his new team, and a game -- actually two -- that Stephon Marbury refused to play for the team he has...
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Michael Lee
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December 1, 2008; 8:36 AM ET |
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