Wall returns to action after missing four games

NY's game winner was for blurred. Flip made sure to have NY running to Gil's strong hand side. Great finish from the kids. Wall is such a heady player pulling up for 3 when philly went to foul. I dunno if anyone else on the team woulda tied up Nocioni like Book did in regulation. a lot of really great effort and a good team win.Good stuff fellas

Season Changer

Stuff like that changes seasons. Wall came in and refused to let us lose. I also think our new starting lineup will be Wall-Gil-NY-Dray-McGee. Im hyped. We also played so much together that it got all the cobwebs out. We're going to look very comfortable from here on out. Cant wait for the Hawks on TNT. Wall=Beast

Our young Wiz Kidz (Wall, McGee, Young & Booker) are growing up right before our eyes!

In Grunfeld We Trust!!

Maaaaan....I had tickets tonight but I had to coach.

Great game. I love the effort Nick is bringing. I think we've all been waiting for it. It's not just the scoring...it's that he's bringing effort OUTSIDE off the offense.

Wall refuses to lose straight up. Love the jack up a 3 move from Gil. Knocked down the pressure free throws too.

Great game. Even though I was watching it on TV =\

I also think Flip did a great job...since thats the new complaint...

I still cant believe we won. I dont think weve ever won a game like this. We lose these games more than any team in the league every single year. Wall changing the culture.

Great fight from the Wiz.

Yes, I'm going to have one complaint in spite of the win.

Andray Blatche is a waste of six feet, eleven inches. Too bad you can't give his length to Booker. He plays defense just like Antawn Jamison.

Forgive me please. Great win.
JaVale, Nick, Gil, Wall, Booker and Hinrich. All were impressive.

McGee & NY are crazy consistent right now. How many people saw that coming?

Blurred, your vision is obviously blurry cause Nick Young is born again HARD, like it or not.

Isn't it funny how the basketball bounces. I guess Run and Jump ain't all bad is it? In fact, Run and Jump is turning out to be PDG, isn't it? And the dumb one with the smile that someone said was on his way to the international league might be PDG as well.

Who would have thought? Certainly not Lamar Odom, or ahh, Samson151, or or ahh, Kalo_rama.

LarryInClintonMD.

Not so great first half, but a very strong finish. A lot of players stepped up tonight in key spots. Booker forcing a jump-ball inside 1 minute. Arenas sinking a three in OT and then feeding Nick Young at the end of the OT period. Of course, Wall forcing the OT with the foul and three foul shots was huge. McGee had a great game all around.

Good to see continued growth -- especially after the stumble Sunday night in Detroit.

I think this is the first game that I have seen that I donot have a criticism for Flip Saunders.

LarryInClintonMD.

Great win! Fun game, nice to have those at VC.

Flip owes his paycheck to Nick though, and I hope Blurred actually watched this game and not just the box score.

Javale is straight BEASTING...10 offense boards tonight!

NY must have read blurred's post and now out somewhere putting a foot in blurred's a@@ because blurred sure as heck turned up missing when he should have been the first one to post and admitting he was wrong. . . I'm just saying! I've had my thoughts on NY but he's come up big in some key moments. Keep it up Nick!

NY's game winner was for blurred. Flip made sure to have NY running to Gil's strong hand side.

Posted by: lilhollywood10 | November 23, 2010 10:05 PM | Report abuse

Blurred, your vision is obviously blurry cause Nick Young is born again HARD, like it or not.

Posted by: zxhoya | November 23, 2010 10:16 PM | Report abuse

OK OK I expected and deserved that. First half I was feeling pretty vindicated as Young was a step behind and not hitting.

the last 7 minutes or whatever of the 3rd quarter, i am thinking - wow Nick is all over the court and MAKING things happen.

Then he missed the game winner WIDE with like :11 in regulation and i think - Yep can't count on nick when you need him.

And then he gets the game winner in overtime...His first game winner in the NBA.

So I said I'd give him props when he plays it and he did, so I am.

As far as him being consistent - 2 games in a row don't make you consistent, 5 out of 6 do.

If he plays like this for 13 more games, I'll be a believer.

If Flip can stay out of his own way and let the lineup of Wall,Gil,McGee,NY, and AB play we might have something

KH- 0pts, 0 assists, 3 fouls in the 2nd half and OT. Nice work Flip

Nick was so much better than Gil or Kirk tonight....it's criminal he was on the bench in the 4th Quarter.

NY and Javale are having breakout seasons, Wiz fans should be thrilled

Isn't it funny how the basketball bounces. I guess Run and Jump ain't all bad is it? In fact, Run and Jump is turning out to be PDG, isn't it? And the dumb one with the smile that someone said was on his way to the international league might be PDG as well.

Who would have thought? Certainly not Lamar Odom, or ahh, Samson151, or or ahh, Kalo_rama.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | November 23, 2010 10:17 PM | Report abuse

Larry - for someone who moaned far and wide that Haywood was worth $40 million over the next 5 years or whatever and McGee was hopeless, you probably shouldn't be throwing too many stones or crowing too loudly.

Then he missed the game winner WIDE with like :11 in regulation and i think - Yep can't count on nick when you need him.

And what were Kirk and Gil doing around the same time? Kirk was doing nothing whatsoever, because he didnt do anything worthwhile in the 2nd half. Gil was turning the ball over and making questionable decisions.

So it really doesnt matter that Nick airballed the potential game winner- he was doin more for us then the "made" men ahead of him.

Nick was so much better than Gil or Kirk tonight....it's criminal he was on the bench in the 4th Quarter.

Posted by: divi3 | November 23, 2010 10:38 PM | Report abuse

Agreed - but in all fairness, the refs are giving Gil the AI treatment so far this season. He can't breath near a player or he gets called, but he can get 3 guys fondling his sack and the refs let it play.

And while Gil had the same 3 boards as Nick, he also had 7 x as many assists (as well as 8x as many TOs).

And what were Kirk and Gil doing around the same time? Kirk was doing nothing whatsoever, because he didnt do anything worthwhile in the 2nd half. Gil was turning the ball over and making questionable decisions.

So it really doesnt matter that Nick airballed the potential game winner- he was doin more for us then the "made" men ahead of him.

Posted by: divi3 | November 23, 2010 10:41 PM | Report abuse

Just so it is noted...I have nowhere this season or this offseason said that Kirk is integral to this teams success or that I liked him or that I thought he was fairly paid.

I did say that if Gil can get most of his form back he has a lot to offer.

Gil made some mistakes to be sure and needs to cut those down, but at least 4 of his 8 TOs were on plays where he was hacked and stripped and the refs didn't call anything because of the aforementioned AI treatment.

But on a better note...I am starting to love Booker..The guy may not ever be great, but he hustles and works hard and shows some good D.

Plus his "per 36 has him at 17 pts, 9 boards and 26 steals

that was a joke.

Larry - for someone who moaned far and wide that Haywood was worth $40 million over the next 5 years or whatever and McGee was hopeless, you probably shouldn't be throwing too many stones or crowing too loudly.

Posted by: Blurred | November 23, 2010 10:38 PM

Blurred, you need a mic check. My posts about Haywood never said what he was worth, but rather that the Wizs did not want to pay him MV and secondly you must have me confused with somebody else, for I have never said that McGee was hopeless.

LarryInClintonMD.

the thing tonight is that Nick played better D than either Gil or Kirk along with the obvious offensive production. I wouldnt be surprised if Nick earned himself serious minutes after tonight, Flip has gotta love what he's getting from Young.

I really like Flip sitting AB for Booker. Blatche is getting away with too many awful defensive plays, only way he'll change is sitting him.

But most importantly:

JAVALE IS BEASTING, PEOPLE!!

Can somebody please tell me the importance of having Kirk Hinrich on the court all the time??? I know he played only 35 minutes but it seemed like he was out there forever. What is this dude's strength? He doesn't look to score a lot, play decent but not great defense and is not as good as Wall or Arenas running the offense. His ineffectiveness and non impactful play does not warrant him getting so much minutes.

JAVALE IS BEASTING, PEOPLE!!

Posted by: divi3 | November 23, 2010 10:54 PM | Report abuse

And so we agree!

"Isn't it funny how the basketball bounces. I guess Run and Jump ain't all bad is it? In fact, Run and Jump is turning out to be PDG, isn't it? And the dumb one with the smile that someone said was on his way to the international league might be PDG as well.Who would have thought? Certainly not Lamar Odom, or ahh, Samson151, or or ahh, Kalo_rama.LarryInClintonMD."

Does PDG stand for Pretty Dumb Guy?

When is Yi coming back because Andray Blatche is just terrible right now? He is non existent on defense and do not want any part of any physical play. At least with Yi, he has the ability to block shots and get to the freethrow line. Unfortunately, there is nobody to play ahead of Blatche at PF right now but he looks like a player who should be coming off the bench.

JMac had great stats this game, but JWow was the difference-maker. When the team was down by 11 or so he seemed to be the only guy out there who still believed they could win.

I had given up on this game by the 3rd quarter. Philly was not only winning, it seemed they were positively toying with the Wiz.

The Brand ejection made a big difference, removing one of Philly's most effective players.

AT was horrible, a -8 in the 8 minutes he played, but I'm not sure whether he hurt his ankle in the first minute or two of the game, in which case he'd have to be given some slack.

Gilbert did a really effective job getting that pass over to NY for the game-winner. I agree with the person who posted saying this is not the kind of thing we've come to expect from the Wizards.

I like the fact that TL sits courtside. That's exactly the kind of owner you'd like to have, someone who's really into the game as opposed to hob-nobbing it with the rich and famous in the owner's box. (I'm not referring to Abe Pollin, whose health would not have allowed him to sit courtside). TL's being there shows the players and coaches that he's with them all the way. Also, he's letting them know that he's watching everything they do (and don't do) like a hawk:)

Kirk is here to mentor Wall and add veteran presence to the Team and he is one of the Captains. He is the annoited one, the golden boy. He has to get his minutes.

Hell, at least he is better than Etan, and Songaila, and Fabulous, and and Mike Miller.

He, Hinrich, actually performs better than Mike Miller did. You have to give him that.

But, all of that being said, does he deserve YEOMENS MINUTES?

HAAAIIILLL NOOO!!!

LarryInClintonMD.

Blatche looks awful on defense and lacks the quickness on offense he displayed last year. He's definitely "not right".

What's in Javale's inhaler? Rage? Can't believe the minutes he's playing.

That jumpball was so huge. Booker should start over Andray "Pantywaist" Blatche. This team has to start games with energy and AB isn't bringing it.

Wall should be back in the starting lineup, too. And whichever guard pairs up with him better should get the other start.

That had to be Young's best game. I don't know if Flip dares putting him in the starting lineup with the kind of roll he's on.

A great victory, but the Sixers have got to be kicking themselves for losing that game. Them's the breaks. I'm sure they'll get yelled at tomorrow.

But about Javale -- think we should let him play for a while before we anoint him our savior? He's finally focused on rebounding, and on doing what the coach wants him to, and it's paying off, on the offensive boards at least. We went through something like this last year with Andray, who had about 13 decent games before he began agitating for a pay increase.

Except Larry, of course, as he's already filling out his Hall of Fame ballot.

No question BDW is a beast right now! Just ridiculous! Anyone sort of catching that McGee is getting away with bumping guys out of the way on his way to the ball? That's not a criticism, the Wiz have certainly been on the down side of that for years. LeBron gets to play like a Linebacker. It's just nice to see a Wizard get the benefit of the doubt. And I hate to say it, but I loved the JaVale bye-bye wave to Brand (and thank goodness he got ejected).

With respect to the guards not named Wall...keep it in perspective. Two games ago NY went 1-8. Gil went for 24 and KH 22. I don't think KH should have been there as much down the stretch as he was, but I don't think it's a case of anyone locking down minutes. With the players he has, Flip should definitely be giving those 4th Qtr minutes to whoever is playing well. Nick, Gil and Wall brought them back into it. Nick should have been in there more to try to close it.

That being said, I understand a bit of why KH gets put in there late. If nothing else, when Wall gets a little too hyped, when Gil or Nick might get a little trigger happy, KH will actually run a play. That definitely happened once tonight. I just don't think it warranted him being in there tonight.

It's tough to call it a rivalry necessarily when both teams will struggle this year record wise, but does anyone else feel the makings of another Philly / DC rivalry brewing? Two young teams, with the #1 and #2 picks. Throw in the geographic rivalry and a bit of hoops history and it could be fun to watch for years.

I like the fact too that Ted sits at coutside at this time. There will come a time though when he will have to take it to the luxury box though. A champion owner can't sit courtside.

On another note, those of you that are criticizing Blatche are judging a book by the cover. Blatche is sneaky good. Remember he fouled Brand out in the last Philly game. His style is smooth and effortlessly and it appears to be soft and out of it, but he really isn't.

Blatche is sneaky good and he IS A MONEY PLAYER.

LarryInClintonMD.

"The Brand ejection made a big difference, removing one of Philly's most effective players."

Make that most effective, by far. If you recall, Saunders said Brand was killing the Wiz in the last game before he fouled out, and he was doing it again tonight. I don't know why Elton is so effective against the Wiz, but he seems to give our PFs fits.

What's in Javale's inhaler? Rage?
Posted by: djnnnou

ROFL!!

Second funniest line tonight. Just heard the first on the post game on CSN. Arenas was being interviewed by Chris Miller and Young came up and started mimicking Gil. Miller goes "Hey, here's the game winner. See? You did him a solid and look what happened to his confidence!" Arenas: "Yeah well that solid cost me $50,000....." and then chuckled at Nick.

"That had to be Young's best game. I don't know if Flip dares putting him in the starting lineup with the kind of roll he's on.Posted by: djnnnou"

LOL Isn't that the same Nick Young who was 1 for 8 in 21 minutes at home against Memphis on November 19? Oh wait, that was a whole four days ago --

Agreed - but in all fairness, the refs are giving Gil the AI treatment so far this season. He can't breath near a player or he gets called, but he can get 3 guys fondling his sack and the refs let it play.
Posted by: Blurred

That's not a foul these days, just a TSA screening.

LOL Isn't that the same Nick Young who was 1 for 8 in 21 minutes at home against Memphis on November 19? Oh wait, that was a whole four days ago --

Yeah, cause Nick's the only guy who ever has a bad night.

LOL Isn't that the same Nick Young who was 1 for 8 in 21 minutes at home against Memphis on November 19? Oh wait, that was a whole four days ago --Posted by: Samson151

I don't care so much about the points. Thornton may be missing some games with the ankle, and Nick has been playing solid D. He was disruptive there for a while in the 3rd. Got to love that.

Blatche is sneaky good and he IS A MONEY PLAYER.

I think he's been terrible lately, BUT...he definitely seems to hit shots late no matter how poorly he's played during the first 36mins

Yeah, cause Nick's the only guy who ever has a bad night.

Posted by: divi3

Weren't you just busting KH's chops for the same thing?

Weren't you just busting KH's chops for the same thing?

the difference is KH plays 35+ no matter how poorly he's playing on any given night. 1 FGA and 0 points in the 2nd half and OT? Makes you wonder what Flip is thinking

The Wiz are tied for the 8th spot in the eastern conference.

Bung !!!

I'm in a deep fantasy league and I think I'm dropping Al Thornton for Nick Young after tonight. I still think Thornton can be great but he cant ever stay healthy. Nick looks awesome and even with Wall back he got his PT. I just wonder if Flip will be smart and keep letting him play. Need to decide between Nick Young, Andres Nocioni, Donte Green, or Reggie Williams. Obviously Nick is the best player in real life but I would need him to actually get in games to help me. Anybody think he's going to keep this up?

Javalay leads the league in blocks
John Wall leads the league in steals
Javalay is 4th in the league in FG%
John Wall is 3rd in the league in assists

Bung !!!!

After Kevin Love grabbed 30 boards, something changed with McGee. He has been on a mission.

Tied for the 8 seed... lets go!!

Larry In Clinton - Tonight I disagree. It seems like Flip did everything he could do to lose this game. As AI is killing us on offense, why don't we put someone on him that can put a hand in his face. As Speight is manhandling players inside why don't we have Booker put a body on him. Everything worked out, but it seemed like luck. I like Hinrich and I hear about his defense, but who has he shut down. Other guards are killing us. Blatche stood and watched on defense all night. Arenas is slow on defense and Young is generally soft. With those three on the floor with Blatche it looked like we could not stop a high school team. It was a surprising night from Wall, I thought he was sorely lacking at first, with no penetration, and no hops, due to his foot, but his shooting was unreal after starting 0-5. This was a luck win, lucky we got the opportunities. One missed shot and we would have lost this game for we can not create defensive stops when we need them. This type of game wont work against a lot of teams. On these nights great offensive performances are either wiped out or almost wiped out. The shame is spectacular efforts are keeping Flip in business. Either Flip is a genius, like the guy in Hoosiers, or he is an idiot.

the wiz are much better when gil has the ball...the whole game john wall was point we were down 13+ as soon as gilbert got them 2 rebounds and push the break nick hit a 3 gil hit a 3 then he pass nick a 3 again then hit john for a 3...john wall stops the ball for a pick and roll to much..gil might take quick shots but the ball doesnt stop...when john has the ball every else sits in the corners doing nothing...nick and kirk plays better with gil then wall...i think flip knew that and put the ball in gils hand becuz when u hav a shooter comin off the pick u have to play hi diff..when john comes off they go under and we get nothing and thats why we started the games so bad becuz the ball stops with dray and wall..gil seems more like a point then a shooting guard now a days....go great wall and gilbert oh and good shot nick

Flip's been telling us all along what he's looking for, and how players can get into the rotation (which means more minutes). Some of us apparently don't like the answer.

But in the interests of full disclosure, I'm willing to suggest this is what Flip wants:

1. Know what your role is on the court, and play within it.

2. Focus on consistent play, not a few spectacular ones.

3. Work hard on defense.

4. Pay attention.

It's pretty heady stuff, I know. Doesn't the guy know you're supposed to have the five most spectacular players on the court at all times? That's the only way to win the title -- for most YouTube dunk videos.

"After Kevin Love grabbed 30 boards, something changed with McGee."

He had a revelation. "Hey, that guy is like 3" shorter than me! He needs a trampoline to jump! He plays on a crap team! Look at all the ink he's getting!"

some body said Blache is a money player,i agree with that.He is not that physical,he avoids contact but he still will play better defense as the season goes on,he is still limited by the body fat he had due to the foot surgery.The team in general is not playing good game.If injury is going to give them a little break, we are going to see wins in the coming two months.Our post all star game will be better.We need KH and arenas to lead in the road games,wall is wall but the young team might take too much time before they start to win on the road.

OH YEAH!!! GO WIZ!!!!

OK OK I expected and deserved that. First half I was feeling pretty vindicated as Young was a step behind and not hitting.

the last 7 minutes or whatever of the 3rd quarter, i am thinking - wow Nick is all over the court and MAKING things happen.

Then he missed the game winner WIDE with like :11 in regulation and i think - Yep can't count on nick when you need him.

And then he gets the game winner in overtime...His first game winner in the NBA.

So I said I'd give him props when he plays it and he did, so I am.

As far as him being consistent - 2 games in a row don't make you consistent, 5 out of 6 do.

If he plays like this for 13 more games, I'll be a believer.

Posted by: Blurred | November 23, 2010 10:32 PM | Report abuse

you felt vindicated in the first half when NY was "a step behind and not hitting"? NY went 2-4 in the first half, missing his first two ( a three with 27 sec left in the first and a 2 eith 12 sec elapsed in the second) he went on to hit his next 2 ( a driving layup at 9:38 in the 2nd and a 2 at 7:28 in the second) Those are his only shots for the first half.

I'm only posting because it's clear your personal fellings for NY have clouded (lls) your ability to recognize good basketball when you see it. There's no need to begrudgingly admit that NY played well.

No need for backhanded comments about consistency either, he's been in double digits 5 out of the last 6 games ( the standard you mentioned to mark consistency) and has seen his minutes increase dramatically because The Offensive Guru,Flip Saunders sees value in putting him on the floor.

I've been Ubercritical of Flip and his handling of NY (lol) but clearly Flip's methods are working on Javale and Nick. They're bringing it in ways we haven't seen before from them. He finally seems to be getting the most out of those two guys. I dunno if it's because they're more involved in the gameplan, or if it's just the increase in minutes that is giving them more opportunities, but Flip deserves a lot of credit if he's turned NY and JM into real pro ball players.

Gil & Dray

Dray has to start playing with more intensity & hustling more. I still cut him a break due to the injury because everyone is just going to be faster than you at the start but he can still hustle alot more then he does. I think he would really benefit from a Wall-Gil backcourt and us running more.

Gil has to do something about those layups. Again, for him to jump so high on defensive rebounds but be so timid at finishing has to be somewhat mental. Also, sometimes he's nearly wide open. You can be a 14yo who cant jump at all and make a wide open layup. He still is doing that stuff that he did last year in that he's trying to draw the foul 1st & make the layup 2nd. That worked in his prime but he's not athletic enough for that now. Just try to make the layup. I think he probably doesnt even practice it. Most pros dont practice that kinda stuff but he should start just running full speed from the FT line & raising up high for layups. Then get someone to slightly defend the rim while he does it. Thats the only way to simulate it. Regular layup drills or shooting jumpers isnt going to do it. He has to get that confidence back because its so deflating when he does that

Gil & Dray

Dray has to start playing with more intensity & hustling more. I still cut him a break due to the injury because everyone is just going to be faster than you at the start but he can still hustle alot more then he does. I think he would really benefit from a Wall-Gil backcourt and us running more.

Gil has to do something about those layups. Again, for him to jump so high on defensive rebounds but be so timid at finishing has to be somewhat mental. Also, sometimes he's nearly wide open. You can be a 14yo who cant jump at all and make a wide open layup. He still is doing that stuff that he did last year in that he's trying to draw the foul 1st & make the layup 2nd. That worked in his prime but he's not athletic enough for that now. Just try to make the layup. I think he probably doesnt even practice it. Most pros dont practice that kinda stuff but he should start just running full speed from the FT line & raising up high for layups. Then get someone to slightly defend the rim while he does it. Thats the only way to simulate it. Regular layup drills or shooting jumpers isnt going to do it. He has to get that confidence back because its so deflating when he does that

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Looking forward to a great game tonight. We have been either straight garbage or terribly boring seemingly in every single National TV game weve gotten the last few years. Its time for a change. Hopefully Wall's leg is ok and we can finally see the Wall-Gil backcourt make a start together. Maybe even Yi can make a return off the bench. Im torn on the NY thing. I think Id still rather have Al start this game if he can go because I think we will have enough scoring in the starting group without NY and then we can come off the bench with him, Kirk, and maybe Yi. That would be great.

Atlanta is a tricky team. Weve always matched up pretty well with them but this game will be different. They have a big SG in JJ and a big SF in Williams. Gil will be matched up against JJ and if we go small then Kirk will matchup against Williams. Williams has sucked this year but it would be dumb to start Kirk. It has to be either Al, NY, Gee, or Booker. Either way I expect to see alot of Zone this game. The Gil-JJ matchup will be special. Both have there advantages. I wouldve taken Gil in his prime easily because he would blow past a 6'8 guy like it was nothing & finish at the rim. He still can dribble past you when he wants even though he lost a step but the problem is he cant finish. Maybe he can do some drive & dish or kicks.

This is our chance to make a statement. We have a National TV game, our 1st game with the Gil-Wall backcourt, we have 3 games around with the top 3 in our division and 3 of the top teams in the East, and we can shut Barkley up for clowning us. I think we will show up. I think we will run, look very exciting, and come away with the victory