John Wall 360 Spinning Layup

Here's a fun play from John Wall from Sunday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers:

No Brotherly Love for the Wiz

 Written By Jeremy Batka @EastCoastAssn

The Wizards played what may have been their sloppiest game since John Wall's return losing in Philadelphia Wednesday night 92-84.

Washington was without rookie Bradley Beal who was seeing a wrist specialist after taking an awkward fall in Denver last week. Randy Wittman decided to start Garrett Temple for Beal instead of Jordan Crawford. Temple scored two points.

For the second straight game turnovers and overall sloppy offense cost Washington a winnable game. The Wizards had 18 turnovers tonight after turning the ball over 20 times in Monday night's loss to Sacramento. 

The Wizards did manage to cut the Philly lead to just four with over a minute left but a Jrue Holiday jumper sealed the deal in the final minute. Holiday led all scorers with 21, he also had 6 assists and four steals.

The Wizards relied heavily on their big men on the offensive end. Emeka Okafor had another double double with 15 points and 17 rebounds. Okafor is still inconsistent with his jump shot but every other facet of his game is currently at an all-star level.

Nene led the Wizards in scoring with 16 on a night where the offensive game plan was catered to feed the post. Nene continues to impress with his combination of size and speed.

Former Wizards knucklehead Nick Young had a big night against his former club. Young had 18 points and four assists and looked much more impressive then nearly every current Wizard.

Jordan Crawford Jordan Crawfords

Here is another reason why Jordan Crawford should be no part of the future plans for the Washington Wizards.  Earlier in the game he was mad his teammates didn't pass him the ball so he jacked up a bad shot.  And later, this happened:

Crawford is double teamed with the shot clock running down but believes that this is his cue to somehow break the trap instead of passing.  He then takes a diving 3 pointer.  Just watch:

Jordan, when you are doubled, then someone is open...

DAGGER!!!!!!

Buckhantz dropped a DAGGER! and streamers fell from the sky!  Wizards still 2nd worst team in the league...

With 1:18 left in the game Cartier Martin hit a jumper to put the Wizards up 19 points.  That was apparently the shot that put the Wizards up for good because Steve Buckhantz dropped a emphatic yet quiet "Dagger!"

Now I know Buck gets a little antsy sometimes.  He does daggers in games where the Wizards end up losing.  But tonight he was really itchy.  He was going to say Dagger and nobody was going to stop him.

The Wizards ended up picking up a win and NOT blowing a huge lead...finally.  As the game ended, streamers fell from the sky, which is the most awful celebration in sports.  Streamers for a regular season win that keep the team as the 2nd worst in the NBA.

Both Booker and Nene left the game with foot injuries...

Player Notes:

Kevin Seraphin & Nene:  These guys are giving the Wizards a post game.  Kevin is getting better each game.  He only misses a few shots because he only takes good shots.  I'm impressed.  (14 pts, 7 boards, 3 assists, 2 blocks).  Both Kev and Nene shot 64% from the field.  A combined 30 points, 14 rebounds.  That is like 1 Kevin Love.

Jan Vesely:  I will always hate this draft pick.  He did well swatting at balls, fouling, and hustling for loose balls.  This type of play does not work every game and does not work against good teams for an extended period of time.

Cartier Martin:  Why was this guy not on the team in the first place?  He is a scorer.  He scored last year.  He hit big shots last year.

John Wall:  Mediocre stats again, poor shooting, but I don't feel comfortable when he is on the bench.

Buckhantz saying Ernie Grunfield is so smart, a "genius"  for picking up Cartier Martin.  So is he a moron for cutting him 2 times?  

The Wizards Played Last Night, So You Know They Lost

76ers 103, Wizards 90

The Wizards lost to the Sixers for the 2nd straight day to fall to a 1-11 record.  It was another pretty bad game with lots of turnovers, mistakes, and one on one play.

The team continues to play a one on one game and the entitled players slack off when they get frustrated.  They kept it close for a while but again in the 4th quarter the game turned into which Wizard will take a jumper.  Fans actually clap when they make these terrible shots.  What is wrong with our fan base?  Jordan Crawford getting cheered for pulling up at the 3 point line and making it?  Do you not realize that the next 10 times he does that he will miss?  Do you realize that is not part of what the coach told him to do?  Stop clapping.

The Verizon Center was empty as everyone was home watching Tim Tebow get destroyed and whoever runs the in game entertainment decided that instead of having the arena sound like a library, they would just constantly play music.  On offense random songs played all night and on Defense they played the Star Wars Storm Trooper song and the Psycho stabbing song.  Didn't seem to help.  But it did make the game even more annoying to watch.

JaVale Mcgee played well but he is so out of shape.  With Blatche out, the Wiz need McGee in the game, but at times he is so tired he can't play offense or defense.  I'm pretty sure that 300 pound NFL linemen are in better shape.  Despite being exhausted, McGee played a good game.  McGee finished with 23 points 18 boards and 5 blocks.

Nick Young led the Wizards with 27 playground points.  I think 0 of those points were in the flow of the offense.  They were all Nick firing up jumpers.  ZERO assists for NY.  The crowd likes him making these shots though as they cheer when he makes them.  Stop encouraging this.

Vesely is back to not playing, and that's great for his rookie development.  The team sucks, put him out there, let him get dunked on and pushed around, it will make him stronger.

While Singleton & Booker give lots of energy and play hard, they don't really add anything to the offense.  However there are no better options on this team, so they will have to be in the game a lot.  Good role players having to start due to being on an incompetent team.

Wall drives to the hoop well, but that's all he can do.  He misses jumpers, and throws bad passes.  8 TOs.

Next up is a Monday afternoon game at 2pm.  I would expect a crowd smaller than a WNBA game.

New Traditions: Stop Watching

Sixers 120, Wizards 89

The Wizards got Blowed Out by the 76ers in Philly on Friday night.  (Meanwhile the hockey team won again).  In the 2nd quarter Philly couldn't buy a bucket.  Instead of taking advantage to take the lead, the Wiz just matched each Sixers miss with one of their own.  So in the 3rd when the Sixers stepped up their game and shot like 78%, the Wizards were left in the dust.

The highlight of the game was when the Sixers fans got on their feet to cheer for Free Big Macs with 7 minutes left in the game.  The Wizards obviously didn't play D and Jodie Meeks hit a 3 to which the crowd erupted like it was the game winner.  Embarrassing for the Wiz.  Later in the 4th a point guard dunked on Jan Vesely.

Flip Saunders decided that the key to beating the Sixers was establishing JaVale McGee in the post.  Why?  I have no idea.  Maybe he was on drugs.  JaVale has no post game.  He shoots layups that don't even go near the rim, and takes jump shots.  If you foul him, he makes no free throws.  (4 for 13)

Nick Young continued his season-long quest to have a heart attack.  While he was making some shots, his entire offense consists of catching the ball, holding it for a few seconds, dribbling, then doing a predetermined spinning fadeaway.  Terrible.  This isn't the playground.  This is the NBA.

John Wall continues to struggle.  He played under more control but he still can't make a jumper and takes them anyway.  I feel for Wall who drives to the hoop and kicks it out to the open 3 point shooters who can't make a 12 footer let alone a 3. (5 Turnovers)

Jan Vesely...OMG...he has an uglier jumper than Wall.  His shots almost hit the freaking ceiling in the arena.  Why would you draft a guy who can't shoot?  He looked OK before, but he has 0 offense.

Who is Mo Evans.  He looks like an OLD version of Derick Fisher.

Jeb Crawford...what can I say.  The Wiz go on a little 5 point run and on the next possession Crawford decides he will go coast to coast and try to score on 3 defenders.  I saw it in his eyes when he got the ball.  This is not a joke.  I would have bet $500 he was going to shoot it.  Phil Chenier put Jeb as the StarTrack before the game.  Terrible decision Phil.  You get an F.

In the 4th quarter with the Wiz down by 30ish points, Crawford crossed-over 2x & fired up a made 3 pointer, then made a crazy layup and the foul a minute later.  He decided that was good enough playing to do some mean muggin.  Your move Flip.

Rashard Lewis picked up some easy buckets in scrub time as did Seraphin.  Please strike those stats from the record.

Thankfully Tim Tebow will be on TV and I won't have to deal with the disaster that is the Washington Wizards.

Have a nice day...

I Would Name Her Rock & Roll: Wizards & Sixers

The Roots Edition

Washington Wizards @ Philadelphia 76ers

Friday, January 13th (7pm) CSN

Philadelphia 76ers @ Washington Wizards

Saturday, January 14th (7pm) CSN

Break you off...

This weekend is a Wizards & Sixers home & home starting on Friday night in Philly.  There is also a game on Saturday, but it kind of conflicts with #TebowTime and #WizardsTime is much less intriguing.  I'm sure Verizon will be more crowded than last Tuesday, but not by much.

What they do...

...is lose basketball games...If you are talking about the Wizards.

...is win basketball games...If you are talking about the Sixers.

I shall...proceed...

The Wizards are 1-9 and are the worst team in the NBA.  They have played 2 decent games this season, but other than those outliers, they have been playing terribly.  On the other end you have Michael Jordan Phil Collins coaching the Sixers who currently have a surprising 7-3 record and will continue to rock the mic.

Essaywhuman?!!!??!

Last game the Wizards scored 64 points.  No I didn't leave off "in the first 3 quarters".  That was 64 points in the game.  An entire NBA basketball game.  I was kind of wishing for the lockout to come back.

If you were worried 'bout where I been or who I saw or what club I went to with my homies, baby don't worry you know that I'm on the Wizards, and nobody cares.

?hate

Andray Blatche is going to miss the game and that is a dagger to the team.  Sure he "sucks" but he shakes up the game a bit when he comes in at center.  It is bad when he plays major minutes, but it is also bad when he is out.  

Illadelphia Halflife

The Sixers are a pretty decent team.  Sweet Lou Williams is leading the team in scoring and while Andre Iguodala is in somewhat of a slump he could still break out against the Wiz.  Jrue Holiday > John Wall, at least for now.  Last year 2 Wizards wins came against the Sixers in OT, so this game could potentially be a close one.  We'll see who shows up.

Also Jimmy Fallon sucks...

Washington Wizards: Best In The World

Washington Wizards 94, Philadelphia 76ers 101

One day after WWE Champion CM Punk and the gang took over Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers dropped some pipe bombs on the Wizards and told them to Go To Sleep.

This contest was broadcast on NBA TV and somehow Nick Young, JaVale McGee, and a preseason Wiz/Sixers game was trending Worldwide...

The Wiz played better in this game but still finished shooting 35% and a terrible, awful, disgraceful 2-18 from the 3 point line.  Honestly I'm not sure if they played any better or if the Sixers just played much worse than their last meeting.

The Wizards "shooting guards" couldn't shoot.  NY shot 30%, Crawford shot 28%, and Mason shot 0%.  The other two guards Wall & Mack fared better but shot 35% & 32% respectively.  McGee led the team with 20 points & three other Wizards scored in double figures.

The game was close for 45 minutes but the Wizards closed out the game like they usually do.  Leaving Sixers open for 3's, taking terrible rushed shots, and not getting easy rebounds.

Why do Wizards games never look like this?

The broadcast started out as a dagger to the heart, realizing that Buckhantz & Chenier wasn't doing the game.  The blow was lightened when a few minutes later Meredith Marakovits appeared like an angel from the heavens to at least make the loss of the Wizards broadcasters not seem too terrible.  But like most women in my life, she was gone before I even got to know her...

"If it's free, it's for me, I'll take 3" -- Steve Buckhantz


Right after the half, Buckhantz came to save the day.  He starts off hot with some Philly & Cheesesteak humor.  He then tells awful first time Sixers announcer Malik Rose that he is great...however we know Buck is a nice guy, and a classic way to utilize a white lie.  Then he dropped his great "free" saying...

Players:


Shelvin Mack had a good game and looked much better in his 2nd game as a backup point guard.


Some guy that was apparently struck by lightning came into the game in the final seconds of the first quarter.  Oh it is Nicky 9 Mill!  Nick Young spent most of the game on the bench, missed shots, and even bricked a free throw...should have signed earlier Nicky.  A classic Nick Young off night.  Jordan Crawford did nothing to lose ground and NY did nothing to gain ground.

Andray Blatche seems to be more inclined to get it to a guard than dribble.  Which is correct.  He also does well when he makes passes or post moves instead of settling for 17 foot jumpers.  He also looked winded most of the night and he sucks in transition.

JaVale McGee hit a couple hook shots finally...I still don't like it.  Later in the first half he had a monster slam on a dish from Wall on rookie Nikola Vucevic and gave him a stare down.  Chill McGee, you are 10 feet tall, stare someone down when you score 20+ points in a real game.  Later in the quarter with a second left in the game McGee decided he wouldn't guard Vucevic who hit the wide open buzzer beater 3 pointer.  I hide my eyes when he gets the ball...

Trevor Booker is Dominic McGuire Jr.  He is a much better player, good hustle & D, but absolutely no offensive skills.  Chris Singleton is a similar type of player, with slightly more offensive game.

John Wall is getting some generous calls.  It will be interesting to see if this trend keeps up during the regular season.  They say he has been working on his shot, but I still hear the clanging of the rim more than a swish.

Rashard Lewis played 20 minutes but nobody knew, Jan Vesely was out as a precaution for a back injury...

Game Notes:

• Malik Rose needs some work as an announcer, check that, he is awful
• Not a big fan of the above the backboard cam
• Turiaf + Singleton = Free Throw Misses
• Blatche hit McGee for the alleyoop on a designed lob play.  We may see that again.
• If the Wiz equipment manager named his son after Jared Jefferies...

Sixers vs Wizards Preseason Round 2

Washington Wizards @ Philadelphia 76ers (7pm)

On Tuesday night, the Wizards will play their 2nd and final preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Philly.  The Zards are coming off of a devastating loss to the Sixers, a 103-78 blowout in DC on Friday night where the offense was terrible...and the defense was terrible...

Nick Young will be back with the team after finally re-signing with the Wizards on Monday.  While he was gone, Jordan Crawford moved into the slot of starting shooting guard, and NY will have to play well to retake his position.

Trevor Booker, who missed the last preseason game will also be back from an injury on Tuesday.  I am thinking that Flip may hold out JaVale in the preseason finale as a precaution based on the following tweet from Michael Lee.

In the last matchup, Sixers star Andre Iguodala was held scoreless in 20 minutes of play, so look for him to step it up before the season starts.

If the Wizards let the Sixers shoot 50% from the field again, or shoot around 30% themselves, it could be a sign that it is going to be a long season.

Washington Generals Get Crushed By The Sixers

Washington Wizards 78, Philadelphia 76ers 103

The Team:

On Friday night at the Verizon Center the Philadelphia 76ers blew out the Washington Wizards in the first preseason game of the season by a score of 103-78.  The Wizards looked awful and couldn't hit a shot while the Sixers nailed open jumpers all night long.

After the first quarter, the Wizards were down by 8.  After the second quarter, the Wizards were down by 21.  In that half the Wiz hit zero 3 pointers, shot 28%, and had 12 turnovers.

Continuing the theme, after the 3rd quarter, the Wizards were down by 36.  Thankfully, the Wiz cut the lead down and only lost by 25 in what was an almost unwatchable contest for Wizards fans.  The Sixers best player Andre Iguodala scored 0 points...

The Players:

In a game with very few Wizards highlights, the best play of the game was when the Sixers had a 3-1 on Singleton as the lone defender. Chris blocked a pass and not only stopped the scoring play but gave the Wizards the possession.  Singleton also had a nice open court steal & slam later in the game.

Andray Blatche led the Wiz with 18 points, but that was about all he did.  He looked like he was working harder on the defensive end, but looked like the same old Dray on offense.  He settled for lots of jumpers instead of making any moves.

Kareem Abdul JaVale took about 3 hook shots including a sky hook from the free throw line. Imagine that Magic Johnson play...now imagine a gangly guy with terrible touch takes the shot...yeah it was like throwing a rock at a brick wall.

Shelvin Mack looked shaky at times but also looked good on a 3 point play early in the game and an alleyoop to Jan Vesely in the 4th quarter.

John Wall had only 8 points and had 6 turnovers.  His highlight came with the Wizards down by 40, yes 40.  Wall had a nice quick drive from the wing for a monster dunk and he got really fired up after.  I mean it was a HUGE play, that cut the Sixers lead to 38.

As for the rest of the guys, there is not much to say about anyone.  Nobody else finished in double figures scoring copared to the 6 sixers that did.  The Wiz finished with a shooting percentage of 32%.

The Wiz will face the Sixers again on Tuesday night in Philly at 7pm in the final preseason tuneup before the games count...

Trade Rumors: Tracy McGrady To The Sixers

Another team in the east, the Philadlephia 76ers, are trying to make a move to push them to the next level. According to NBC Philly, the Sixers are looking to trade Samuel Dalembert to the Houston Rockets for Tracy McGrady.

If the Sixers end up with McGrady, they will have a pretty powerful offense. Iguodala & McGrady will be a brutal combination along with new coach Eddie Jordan. They were 6th seed last season, and McGrady (if not injured) would have to help them.

While Brendan Haywood may think the Wizards are #4 behind the Celtics, Cavs, & Magic, the Wizards are going to have to be concerned with beating some of these other eastern teams that are improving.

While none of these moves are final, it shows that teams are at least trying to make the next big move...