Ivan - Could you please tell me why Blatche only got a "few minutes" of playing time last night (contract year and not wanting to "show him" to much to other teams) when EJ said he would get playing time this game?

Also, please explain to me how Haywood does not deserve at least 5 minutes and Booth sees nothing also? However, Ruffin gets the minutes (go figure)!!!!

I also gave Etan some "props" last week, but it looks like he is now "coming back down to earth". The 5 spot needs to be addressed in the offseason.

Lastly, why did EJ take out Mason and Taylor when they were both "hot" in the 4th and replace them with AD and Stevenson? Once again, EJ's rotations are so hard to figure out.

I know that at least in the Cleveland game last week, while not the last possesion of the game, Stevenson drove to the basket a few time as well in the last 2 minutes looking to draw a foul. IN both instances in that game I thought the better option would have been to kick it out rather then trying to force a layup over Cleveland's bigs.

So last night wasn't the first time Stevenson was in that position. But as you put it Michael it is a learning process.

One reason I don't think Jordan has called Daniels number at the end of the game is that he is DEAD tired by that point with the amount of minutes he logged in the past few weeks.

Eddie Jordan has been completely exposed without Arenas. I hope Ernie has the stones to fire him.

That was one of the worst coaching jobs I've seen.

He refuses to call timeouts until we've lost the lead whenever another team makes a run. He never stops the bleeding before we completely lose the lead.

Two straight ISO's for DeShawn. I thought he was supposed to be a X's and O's guy as an assistant in NJ. And an ISO for Deshawn is what he draws up in the huddle??

That was an embarrassment.

Should be why Jordan has NOT call Danieles number.

So some folks on the previous blog commented on this, and Ivan's point on the last two possessions going to a cold Stevenson is on point - the two fastbreaks after we ran down the clock our last two possessions while we we still up was unacceptable. Poor execution. Poor choice of shooter. Running the Gilbert "top of the key, dribble dribble, drive play" for Stevenson is outrageously atrocious play calling. He isn't as skilled as Gilbert, and, probably more importantly, the refs aren't going to give him the whistles that a star like Arenas gets. How does Eddie not know this? Experimenting is all well and good, but why do it then?

As my wife commented at the end of the game, if they had a state for field goal percentage on the possession coming out of a timeout, the Wizards have to be last in the league.

Also, as much as I think he is a chump and would prefer him to sit, Eddie is going to have to play Brendan (I won't even get into Blatche). Brendan is one of the few players we have who due to size and skill (such as there is) allows the Wizards to dictate the game to some extent. We need that now. Also, giving him some PT can only help his trade value (maybe you even tell him that).

Finally, I am starting to feel quite nauseous. The season over under I took was 39.5. Can they really go 0-10? I didn't think so, but Chicago and Miami are almost certainly losses, and the way we are playing Orl, Atl, and Indy could well beat us, especially since two of those are on the road.

That all being said:

PLAYOFFS BABY

ML & IC: Why wasn't Darius Songaila, who had a great night shooting the ball, sitting on the pine late in the fourth quarter? When the five-point lead slipped away, there still was a sense inside the Phone Booth that as long as the Wizards got a few buckets, they could still win the game. They were playing tough enough defensive to grab a W. But then, Eddie yanks Songaila after he missed a three-point try -- which he couldn't pass up he was so open and hot as a poor man's hibachi all night. So EJ inserts Donnell Taylor in favor of a cat who had 19 points and was getting good shots? Is there some logic behind this move that I'm not basketball smart enough to understand?

Ray Chris

Iso at the end of games help avoid being the trapped/double teams that a majority of teams like to employ(especially when Gilbert out) in end game situations.

It why standard offences typically don't work in those situations.

Unlike the comments above, I think Eddie Jordan is doing great given the circumstances.

Why?

He didn't get blown out in either of the games against the hollowed high powered offense of NJ. Cleveland did not over power them with more aggressive and active players?

What happened? The Wizards were competitive to the very last minute in all three games. And in the end, when your team is stripped of 2/3rds of its heart, soul, and scoring, isn't that all you could ask for.

This is a type of team you can be proud of when they lose. Does it stink when they lose? Hell yes. But they way they compose themselves, the way they never give up, it says something.

Jordan is doing a bangup job given the circumstances.

"He didn't get blown out in either of the games against the hollowed high powered offense of NJ."

Huh? NJ is 7th in the East right now and below .500. They aren't exactly the Suns of the East. Joisey is currently ranked 16 in the league in offense, and Les BouleS have the 3rd worse defense.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statistics?stat=teamstatoff&season=2007&seasontype=2&league=nba

PS. Why in g#ds name is Stevenson handing out stupid t-shirts with his stupid quote? What has this guy done, Mr. Defensive Stopper? As goofy as Gilby is, what Les BouleS don't need is a Gilby wannabe/copy cat who can't do anything during crunch time.

To anyone who went to the game last night:

What was the vibe from the fans? I had the game on, but was watching sparingly, but noticed that there were a lot of empty seats on the first row.

Michael, good analysis as usual. Here's hoping for the best, here's hoping the Wizards find the right chemistry.

There are, of course, other factors at play (injuries, etc.), but the Wizards' record with Haywood as a starter is 28-21, and with Thomas as a starter is 11-16.

FYI, the blog and article today were written by Michael Lee not Ivan.

Michael, your first instinct was the right one -- you should have asked Eddie why he didn't draw up a play for Jamison, Daniels or Songalia. What you ended up doing with your theory that "Jordan is probably just trying to figure out what can work" is being an apologist for EJ -- something you and your colleagues have been doing for the last 2 years. Why do you feel the need to let this guy slide no matter how many bad decisions he makes? If you think that Eddie didn't really want to win that game in the worst way than why would he play Daniels and Jamison so many minutes in the first place? It seems pretty obvious that he thought the iso for Deshawn was his best option and he was proven wrong not once but twice. This is one of EJs defining characteristics -- he's extremely stubborn no matter what the evidence on the court suggests. That's why he continues to play Michael Ruffin despite the fact that he has one of the worst +/- in the league; it's why he stuck with Jarvis all season even when he was giving the team nothing; it's why he went with small ball for long stretches even though it would inevitably result in leads lost; it's why he's sent Haywood to the bench -- he wanted Etan to start from the beginning of the season and when he got injured and Haywood was forced to play and the team started winning it made Eddie look bad. Now EJ gets to show he knows best. So, Michael, while you are clearly inclined to make up excuses for the reason EJ drew up 2 lousy plays on consecutive possesions at the end of a game that the Wiz needed and wanted to win in the worst way, your audience would be better served if you stuck with your gut as a journalist and asked the coach the questions we all want answered.

Unlike the comments above, I think Eddie Jordan is doing great given the circumstances.

Why? He didn't get blown out in either of the games against the hollowed high powered offense of NJ. Cleveland did not over power them with more aggressive and active players? James

James - No disrespect, but have you been watching the Wizards game all season? I can name at least 15 games where EJ has gotten outcoached because of "bonehead" rotation calls.

I agree with the post about not calling timeouts at the right time. It seems EJ does not have a good "feel" of game flows when it comes to making "subs" or calling timeouts when needed.

Not playing Haywood "at all" is just plain stupid. Has it gotten that personal where you can not find time for a 7 footer at all in the game. What is the Wizard's record when he is starting.

I have been watching Haywood on the bench, since Ivan came out with that story, and to his credit he has not been sulking, or over there mad and even talking to his teammates and standing up showing support, so what in the heck more does EJ want from the dude.

Again, if he wants to start taking away playing time from people who have not performed well, why in the heck does Jarvis keep getting so many opportunities?

Lastly, did any of you see Blanche over there on the bench. He was "hot" and I can not blame him!!!! I can see Haywood now telling him, "welcome to the club young boy, because no matter how good you play, EJ is still going to find a reason to bench you.

The only thing EJ has good "feel" of is Arvis' crotch & RuffToy's oversized dome.

Also, If Eddie treated Brendan more like Brendan instead of Brenda, there would be a good chance we'd see less of Brenda and more of Brendan.

Charlie 32 - Brother, you hit everything "right on head". That is the key word with EJ, Stubborn.

Small ball, over playing Jarvis, not playing Haywood, not playing Haywood and Thomas together just for a few minutes in the 1st half, playing Ruffin "way to much", playing his starting point guards way to many minutes, making players have to "guess" when they are playing or if they are playing at all, not playing "offense/defense" in close games down the streach and so on and so on.

I still like EJ as coach, but the man needs to work on his relationship with Haywood, learn how to "sub" better, go with the "hot player" longer (if his name is not Gilbert) and bring in some defensive assistants.

As much as Gilbert has been maligned (I have called him out to before) about his primeter defense, guess what the same thing is still happening. Wide open looks at three's from the opposing team. AD, Stevenson and Taylor are supposed to be some of our best primeter defenders, but the same thing is still happening even when Gil is not there. What's up with that???

I've questioned some of Eddies moves, even before the injuries and the slide, but I think he gets some wiggle room here. He's in uncharted territory, taking guys who were options 4 through 8 when everyone was healthy and finding out if any of them can step up to be prime time now. It's a learning process for all involved.

The bottom line is, without Gilbert and Caron, the Wizards are simply not a very good team. The fact that they lost to Jersey is probably less surprising than the fact that they hung in.

The downfall of this team lies squarely on the shoulders of Eddie Jordan.

I've said many times I like Eddie. I like his offense, I like the atmosphere he creates, and I like the things he says.

The thing about him that I have never understood however is his player rotations and the way he manages games. His reliance on smallball as a strategy is my main source of annoyance. But also since coming here he has been terrible at developing young players, and developing a bench and establishing roles for players. His inability to do this is what lead to the complete wearing down of the big 3. Jamison and his knee surgery before, then going down again this year before the allstar break. Gil and Caron going down now, and really they both have been playing banged up for a while.

Too often throughout this season, Daniels has seen long stretches of inactivity. Blatche has been wasting on the bench. Most every player except the "big 3" has seen very inconsistant playing time throughout the season.

Players need consistant roles to establish their games, gain confidence, and build chemistry. You need a bench to win, to go deep in the playoffs, to allow everyone to contribute, and to stay healthy and rested.

Eddie's management and use of his personel this season has been unorganized, unfocused, and at times downright baffling. It's his misuse of the big 3, and his lack of a consistant rotation that has led us to this outcome.

"Also, If Eddie treated Brendan more like Brendan instead of Brenda, there would be a good chance we'd see less of Brenda and more of Brendan."

I have my critiques of Eddie Jordan, but this is some serious Haywood fan-boy stuff here. Haywood has played like crap, plain and simple. He has been given every chance to keep his starting spot and hasnt stepped up his game.

I'm really sick of this "pity Brendan Haywood" attitude that some fans have. Play better D, get more than 2 rebounds in 20 minutes and put the fear of God in other centers - basically, do what any decent 7 footer would try and do.

Darnell's third paragraph above is the Truth.

Can anyone in this blog name a coach that could win consistantly with this team right now? Remember three years ago? When we all had to get out our dictionaries to remember what the word "playoffs" meant? There isnt a team in this league that can win without its two best players. I dont care what subs EJ makes or whos in the doghouse at this point, they arent going to win consistantly. If I was going to say anything to EJ now it would be that I am very proud of how hard his team is fighting and its understandable that they are losing close games because one of the best closers in the game is in the training room.

Why Ej, why? I say stop depending on Jarvis so much. The man is not up to the task. Mason, Darius Brendan should be playing more

What do people think of Stevenson now that Gilbert is out of the lineup? I think he is demonstrating that he is not worthy of being a starting 2 guard. His jumper is not that reliable; he isn't very athletic, he doesn't get to the basket easily; and his D isn't as advertised. With that said, I don't think he is the future 2 guard for this team, meaning I don't see him being re-signed. They need to get much more athletic, and probably bigger at that position. I know that the 4 and 5 are in greatest need of being addressed, but they are not going to be able to get an impact big in their draft position. So, i think they will address the 2 come draft day.

And it's been this way since he's arrived. Dixon, Anthony Peeler, Etan would have a big game, then not play at all the next 3 games. His refusal to give regular minutes to Kwame, now Blatche, or Haywood, really any big man. His love affair with mediocre players like Hayes, Ruffin, Jeffries. The inability of our "big 3" to stay healthy (Jamison, Hughes, Stackhouse, Caron, Arenas).

The players here have always expressed dissatisfaction with lack of a consistant role, or consistant PT. They've been professional for the most part with some exceptions (Kwame, Haywood), saying things like "you've got to stay ready" and "you have to stay prepared, you never know what will happen". They don't know what will happen, when or if they will play, how much, or what their role is. Yes it's their job to stay professional and prepared. But it's Eddie's job to manage the team and manage games. When it comes to that, he has failed... and our current situation is the result.

"Can anyone in this blog name a coach that could win consistantly with this team right now? Remember three years ago? When we all had to get out our dictionaries to remember what the word "playoffs" meant? There isnt a team in this league that can win without its two best players. I dont care what subs EJ makes or whos in the doghouse at this point, they arent going to win consistantly. If I was going to say anything to EJ now it would be that I am very proud of how hard his team is fighting and its understandable that they are losing close games because one of the best closers in the game is in the training room.

Posted by: zardsfan | April 11, 2007 12:42 PM"

Uh, even with their two best players, Gilby and AJ, they went 1-4 against sub.500 lottery bound teams during their west coast roadtrip. With all 3 guys, they got beat by the Raptors at Verizon, and then got blown out by Charlotte with two of their stars.

Just need to remind everyone that Caron and Gilby being out doesn't erase the fact that they've been on a tailspin since right before the all star game, and that's with their stars in place.

Mike, Mike, Mike!!!!!! Applause!!

This is a right on the money article! Fans should be chanting:
Eddie!!! Eddie!!!! Eddie!!!!!

Who is to blame at the end of any battle win or lose? The General in charge thats who!!

Who's the man drawing up the plays? Eddie!!
Who's the man running practice? Eddie!!
Who's the man organizes & supervises training sessions? Eddie!!
Who's the man coaching the team? Eddie!
Whose the man to design the rotations and substitutions? Eddie!!
Whose the man to decide if BH & AB sit?
Eddie!!

Whose the man coaching & known these same players All year..didn't just meet them, been fully aware of their weakness & strengths - all year? Eddie!!
Who's the man that puts in a player on last second to win that hasn't hit the side of a barn all nite - confident he'll suddenly find the basket?

He's a complicated man but nobody trusts him like Abe? Coach Eddie Jordan.

Can you dig?

these stinkers lie at Jordan's door and it aint cuz Arenas & Butler are out. This is no mystery. He picked every player on this team & knows them better than his own name.

Ahhhh...the EJ argument again. He is not a decent offensive coach and nothing more or less - think Norv Turner.

Please stop whining for more H'wood playing time. What he did a couple of weeks ago is insulting to the team and fans? Besides he had been coasting for quite a few games. Somehow he has the nerve to have the ego of a top tier center when he is serviceable at best and that is in the games he decides to play. I don't care if he never plays for us agian.

Finally, I can watch this team moreso than the underachieving, lack of defensive/rebounding hustle, and teamwork that the team had become BEFORE the injuries. Even Jamison is hustling more on D although he just has not skills on D to ever be good. Has he ever jumped more than 3 inches off the ground playing D?

"What do people think of Stevenson now that Gilbert is out of the lineup? I think he is demonstrating that he is not worthy of being a starting 2 guard."

I think he's the same thing now he was before: A complementary player for a team starting 3 all-star 20 ppg scorers. Problem is 2 of the 3 all-stars are gone. He's not a player capable of being a primary offensive option on a good team, but that was never supposed to be his role. He's an opportunistic scorer who takes advantage of openings created by defenses focusing on the other guys. He's not a guy you give the ball to every time down court and then step back and wait for him to make something happen. He is, however, a very good fit for the way this team was constructed when healthy.

They'd be hard pressed to replace him with someone who's a better fit in that role, and they aren't going to get a highpowered offensive player in here fot the SG spot because (A) they don;t have the money and (B) a player like that isn't going to want to come to the Wizards and be the 4th option. Stevenson is the least of this team's problems.

Sorry screwed up that first line. "He is a decent offensive coach nothing more or less - think Norv Turner"

Kalorama, right on with Stevenson.

Stevenson should have never been put in that position by EJ. Plus, needing a three with 12 seconds left, why did Taylor dribble the ball up the floor and jack up a horrible shot??? - EJ Taylor has one of the worst looking shots in the league. Why Eddie, why?

Kalorama, I understand what type of player he is, and that he is having to play outside his comfort zone, but that doesn't mean that an upgrade would not benefit the team. Would the Wizards not be better off with Larry Hughes? My point is that the Wizards are going to have to decide what to do with Stevenson this offseason. In my opinion he is not a great fit for Gilbert. They could use a guy who can take some of the ballhandling and perimeter scoring pressure off Gilbert. Stevenson isn't the guy. Plus, I think they need somebody who is more aggressive and more athletic. Also, Jamison is fragile, and he will be in the second to last year of his contract next year (i believe), which means that he could be a valuable trade commodity. And there are many out there who would like to see Blatche get more minutes at the 4.

M.E.G., of course getting a better player in that spot would help the team. Getting a better player at any spot is always a plus. But better players cost money and want touches. As long as the team has the makeup it has, with Arenas, Butler, and Jamison taking up 80-90% of the offense and the salary cap, they aren't going to be able to get a better player at SG. And, if they are able to manuever themselves into a position where they do have the resources to make a deal for an upgrade, the hole in the middle and the lack of depth on the bench are much, much, much bigger concerns. Replacing Stevenson should be far down on the Wizards list of priorities.

Kalorama - The Wizards could use their 2nd round pick on a high energy defensive minded off guard paying only about $700,000 a year. Or there will be plenty of "off guards" you can pick up at the 1 million range.

However, I like Stevenson and he works well with the Big Three, but if he asks for to much money, when we have to use the 5 million exempt slot to pay him and Blatche; I say he has to go and we use the 2nd rounder to replace him or slide Gil over to the 2 and let AD run the 1.

"The Wizards could use their 2nd round pick on a high energy defensive minded off guard paying only about $700,000 a year. Or there will be plenty of "off guards" you can pick up at the 1 million range."

What are the chances that a SG taken in the later part of the first round will come in and be more effective than Stevenson? Not much at all.

Stevenson is making $900,000 dollars because he and his agent miscalculated the FA market and the Wiz got lucky. The odds of signing another FA SG at that price who's better than Stevenson in any respect are extremely long.

If you feel otherwise, please, give us some names.

I agree with MEG. I think Stevenson could be a solid bench player on a serious playoff contender, but what this team really needs at the starting 2 spot is either a serious lock-down defender, or a 2 guard with serious point guard skills who can create for others in ways that Gilbert doesn't. They had the latter with Larry Hughes, but haven't had the former as long as I can remember.

Mike,
I said "SG taken in the later part of the first round" in my previous post. " meant "second round." Which, of course, makes the odds of getting someone better than Stevens even more extreme.

Donnell Taylor can't handle the ball!

Jarvis didn't do anything good at all in the second half! His knees can't handle his weight! Loose some weight!

Stevenson needs more experience closing games out!

Antawn played ok, but I think we can get a better/tougher player via trade.

AD played decent, but none of his acrobatic shots fell.

Songaila can't play fastbreak D. He ran out of gas in the 4th. You can tell he was tired, he wasn't that bouncy.

Playing good defense is all about athleticism, studying oppenents, the mentality to not let anyone score on you! Why can't any of these players improve on D if they do this for a living day in day out? No one in the coaching staff is hardball enough to push them I guess.

Wizards lineup were too small almost the whole game. Smallest line up in the NBA I think. What is up with Eddie Jordan's rotations? Awful coaching! Jefferson was penetrating with ease.

Why didn't Blatche play?!! They needed his shot blocking and athleticism at both ends of the court and his height. If I was him, i'd sign with another team. With a guard heavy and shooting heavy team, he is not going to improve staying here.

It doesn't take intensive study to figure out why Jordan goes small ball. His lineup of big men are mostly walking monuments to mediocrity.

My gut tells me that if Juan and Stevie were still here, they'd do a better job than DS and DT easily.

Please stop whining for more H'wood playing time. What he did a couple of weeks ago is insulting to the team and fans? Besides he had been coasting for quite a few games. Somehow he has the nerve to have the ego of a top tier center when he is serviceable at best and that is in the games he decides to play. I don't care if he never plays for us agian. Rob P.

Rob P. As I noted before in an earlier post, Haywood has not had another one of his little "anger eposide" since he did it that last time. Charlie 32 was right on with his analysis on how EJ handles rotations and Haywood. Can you explain how Booth saw no action, as well? Did he insult the fans too?

EJ has been doing this type of stuff with Haywood since the beginning of last year. Haywood is sometimes a slow starter but he gets stronger as the games go on. Look at his stats when he plays 30 minutes or more. Again you can not teach length.

All I know is it is pretty obvious EJ is in "feud mode" again with Haywood and for what reasons I do not know. But Haywood is not Peter James Ramos for goodness sake, so please tell me how he is getting "0" minutes??????? He is not acting like Darious Miles. Even Mo Peterson and PJ Brown have had their little outbursts with their playing time, so it happens sometimes.

All I can say is, I would be pissed too if I was being treated the way Haywood is being treated by EJ over the duration of two years. Give the man some props for trying to get with EJ over the summer and try to work out their little conflict. It appears EJ did not want to holdup his end with getting along with Haywood when it came to fair treatment.

Kalorama - I was not implying that I wanted Stevenson replaced. I hope the Wiz are able to resign him.

All I was saying was whover is at the 2 spot has to be "cool" with being the 4th option. The only guys like that would be only 2nd rounders because they would come in with no egos.

You have to remember Steveson is going to be looking to recoup what he lost when he did not sign that 3 year 10 or 12 million dollar contract Orlando offered him.

We have Blatche as our number one priority we have to resign and we only have the 5 million dollar exemption to use on him and Steveson.

We have OPEC coming over next season, the number 1 pick coming in along with hopefully signing that other 2nd round pick we have in Europe (not the PG Navarotto Spelling????). He is another "Big" but I can not think of his name.

The Wiz will be real close to Luxary Tax Territory, so they must be carefull with how they spend their dollars. With Stevenson looking to make back money, they have to have a backup plan in place.

That is why I made that statement in the post. I already know about what happen with his contract and why he was signed to the $900,000 something thing.

Also, let us not forget Jarvis is up for a contract and I can see EG and EJ battling over that one. Just as long Blatche gets "first dibbs" with his contract, but no disresect I could pretty much care less what happens with Steveson and Jarvis.

I think Stevenson is an excellent shooting gaurd to play along side Gilbert Arenas. And with the hopeful addition of Jaun Carlos Navarro we could have a very strong three gaurd rotation.
I've got to agree with Kalorama's assesment of Stevenson and how he fits in here. Stevenson is a good enough shooter and can drive to the hole and finish when he finds a seam in the defense. But as our normal 4th scoring option he's not going to break down Jason Kidd on the ISO to often, and he shouldn't be asked to.
I've only seen Navarro play just a little, but he definitly can shoot, and he handles the ball well enough to be playmaker and slide Gil to shooting gaurd at times. EG has been to Spain to scout him this year himself, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
Always interesting that it always looks so easy to have a guy just break a team down on the ISO to take the game winning shot. I've watched this team for years when we lost game after game at the end because we didn't have that guy. And when you have one he won't win every game for you. Not even Jordan did that.
But when you don't have that guy the NBA is a living hell, just ask any of us old guys that have been rooting for this team for years. There's not a one of us that don't know what we have here and just how hard it is to find.

Look whether Haywood is an a**hole or not is not the matter. Given the situation the team is in, it should be all hands on deck and like it or not the Wizards need him. And it is simply inexcusable that Ruffin and Hayes get the playing time they get and Blatche and Mason play as little as they do sometimes. Jordan's rotations have hurt this team all year and I think a lot of the close defeats, as another poster said, can be attributed to who Jordan played at certain times.

"Given the situation the team is in, it should be all hands on deck"

Exactly. And Brendan's not on board. He's made it pretty clear that his in it for himself not the team. And he's simply nowhere near a good enough player that his talent and impact make it possible to overlook the dissention and disharmony that that kind of attitude causes. It's not just Jordan. Ivan's piece after the Raptors game made it pretty clear his teammates have had it with him as well.

"Again you can not teach length."

Unfortunately for Brendan, you also can't teach toughness, soft hands, vertical leap, or lateral quickness.

Kalorama - George Templeton is "on point" with his post. Can you let it go about the incident after the Raptors game. Those types of incidents happen all of the time with players you probably thought would never do such of a thing. The difference is this one got reported.

Plus, the article said "ONE TEAMMATE" had something to say about it, when the others said that is for EJ to handle. So please don't make it sound like the whole team has it in for Haywood like EJ does.

Plus, the "unidentified" teammate was probably Etan Thomas. So you can go just about so far with that arguement.

By the way, did you ever get a chance to look at Haywood's stats when he plays 30 minutes or more? And please tell me how in the heck you can justify Ruffin playing over him, or no Booth at all? Please explain that to me.

It seems to me EJ has something against tall players with length (i.e. Booth, Blatche, PJR and Haywood). He would rather go "small ball" with glorified 4's (Ruffin and Thomas) playing at the 5; where they do not belong.

Imagine an NBA coach, coaching a team this poorly fighting for a playoff spot? Is the guy drinking? Does it seem odd he's making such really poor choices tho he's supposed to be trying to win? He can't be.

What if: Jordan & managment have already written off the season but going through the motions? (keep the fans buying tickets shirts, memorabilia)

What if: Arenas knee - which he says wasn't bad - just needed cleaning up - actually wasn't really injured? What if they decide to use that injury as a cover? An excuse? Why? To write off the year.

Without Butler - they were the Titanic and sinking fast even w/Gilbert on board.
His shot was off. Not producing as usual. Before it was the shouldar now? Why suddenly show up late now? Not Arenas.

Take him out of the equation and it leaves his rep, PR record and heroic record untarnished/fans root for the handicapped, undermaned team; Eddie is given a pass & knighted for doing a great coaching job under the circumstances.(to the public)

Eddie Jordan isn't playing like a coach trying to SAVE his season. His actions belie his speech.

Do ya think they took a dive?

Maybe I've watched too many law & Orders,the Godfather or Sopranos. BUT an NBA coach desirous of winning do the things he does. They don't cut off their nose to spite their face. they just plan to trade or waive the player.

Josh smith - suspended 2 games for tirade against the coach. Remember the kids book
"where's Waldo" "Where's Brendan"

I think this is money.

I am certain EJ is more aware of the fact that the Zards are up against the luxary tax than we are. It's possible that he wanted DeShawn to earn his next contract.

If he made the plays needed to win than he could have earned a better contract, however, now that he messed up twice they have no obligation to over pay. The Wizards actually now have the upper hand in negotiations.

How can he come out crying for the full MLE when he never came through when called upon?

"By the way, did you ever get a chance to look at Haywood's stats when he plays 30 minutes or more? And please tell me how in the heck you can justify Ruffin playing over him, or no Booth at all? Please explain that to me."

There's nothing to explain. I've repeatedly questioned why Ruffin gets any minutes at all and why Booth almost never plays (although he's had an injured knee the last few games). Before you ask a person how they can justify something they've openly advocated against, you might want to take a moment to check your facts.

As for "letting go" of what happened against the Raptors, try telling that to his teammates. It was made quite clear that they no longer trust/have confidence in Brendan as being in the fight with them. And unless he's an idiot, he knows it. Now, if he were an a-list big man with topflight skills, then maybe the sheer force of his production and talent would be enough to overcome that and mend fences. But he's not and it isn't. That simple.

And please, enough with the "when he plays 30 mpg" nonsense. As the saying goes: "There are three types of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics." Or, to put it another way, numbers may never lie, but they rarely tell the whole truth.

"Plus, the article said "ONE TEAMMATE" had something to say about it, when the others said that is for EJ to handle. So please don't make it sound like the whole team has it in for Haywood like EJ does."

Read it again. At least two of them were quoted. And I'm fairly certain Thomas wasn't one of them. Given that their fued is a matter of public record, there'd be no need for Thomas not to put his name on it. Also, they were responding to Ivan's direct question about Brendan's behavior. What point would there be in asking Thomas a question like that since we already know where he stands?

D.C.: C'mon guys, the recent article noted that the Wizards' downward spiral started a few games before All Star Weekend, not after Gilbert and Caron went down. I don't want to hear the excuse that we're losing because our two stars are out.

With two and sometimes three of their All-Stars in the lineup, they managed a 1-4 record during their west coast trip against sub.500 teams missing some of their superstars (ie. Sam Cassell, Zach Randolph, Shaun Livingston, Ray Allen, Stephen Jackson, etc.), came home and lost to Toronto at home, got blown out by Charlotte, and then lost again to Charlotte at home. Only during the last Charlotte game was where both Gilbert and Caron were out with injuries. Currently, they are 2-8 in their last 10 games, with 5 games lost in a row.

Ivan Carter: That's a very good point and one that has to be considered when talking about this team. If you take out December and January when this team went 22-9, they have posted a losing record in every other month and as you pointed out, they weren't tearing it up when Gilbert and/or Caron were in the lineup.

No offense Matt, but that's nonsense. There's absolutely nothing for the Wizards to gain by tanking games. Nothing. It's foolsih to even suggest it.

The downfall of this team lies squarely on the shoulders of Eddie Jordan.

I've said many times I like Eddie. I like his offense, I like the atmosphere he creates, I like the things he says, and in general the way he runs the team.

The thing about him that I have never understood however is his player rotations and the way he manages games. His reliance on smallball as a strategy is my main source of annoyance. But also since coming here he has been terrible at developing young players, and developing a bench and establishing roles for players. His inability to do this is what lead to the complete wearing down of the big 3. Jamison and his knee surgery before, then going down again this year before the allstar break. Gil and Caron going down now, and really they both have been playing banged up for a while.

Too often throughout this season, Daniels has seen long stretches of inactivity. Blatche has been wasting on the bench. Most every player except the "big 3" has seen very inconsistant playing time throughout the season.

Players need consistant roles to establish their games, gain confidence, and build chemistry. You need a bench to win, to go deep in the playoffs, to allow everyone to contribute, and to stay healthy and rested.

Eddie's management and use of his personel this season has unorganized, unfocused, and at times downright baffling. It's his misuse of the big 3, and his lack of a consistant rotation that has led us to this outcome.

Posted by Darnell 4/10/07

Agreed!!

I sound more stupid that usual.
I can't admit that Les Boules were actually winning games with Gilby.

I am a fool & a stool.

I'm starting to see a trend with the crazy line-ups by EJ. Hopefully this is just practice time for EJ as he tries to find the best ones for the play-offs. It seems that in too many games he goes with the bench for long stretches in the 2nd half and we're all left wondering why hasn't he put the starting line-up back in yet?! Now there is no starting line-up.

Can someone answer this question for me, as I posed it to Ivan Carter during the chat but never really got a good answer. Deshawn Stevenson more than likely is to become a free agent this summer. Ivan said that the wiz will need to clear room on the cap to be able to sign Stevenson to a long term deal. My question was isn't there a Larry Bird exception for teams to sign their own players to a new vet max contract without it affecting their salary cap. Ivan said the wiz are over the cap and will only have a $5 million mid-level exemption to sign Andray and Deshawn. So my question is what's the point of the Larry Bird exemption and wouldn't signing Deshawn to a vet-max deal not affect the salary cap because of the Larry Bird rule?

"There's nothing to explain. I've repeatedly questioned why Ruffin gets any minutes at all and why Booth almost never plays (although he's had an injured knee the last few games). Before you ask a person how they can justify something they've openly advocated against, you might want to take a moment to check your facts."

Kalorama - First of all, I have only been posting in this Wizard's Insider Blog for a couple of weeks now, so I have no idea what your stance has been on the Ruffin or Booth situation. So that is not a situation where I should check my "facts" by going back to a thousand past blogs just to see what you were saying about Ruffin and Booth.

"And please, enough with the "when he plays 30 mpg" nonsense. As the saying goes: "There are three types of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics." Or, to put it another way, numbers may never lie, but they rarely tell the whole truth."

Lastly, if you are asking me to check my facts on "your" past statements about Ruffin and Booth, why is it so hard for you check "my" facts on when Haywood plays 30 minutes or more? Numbers don't lie, my man. These chats are about facts and "stats". So, please don't tell me that line does not matter because it does.

If you are hating on Haywood because he is pouting and upset about playing time, so be it. That's your choice. All I am trying to say is it is not helping leaving him on the bench not earning any trade value with a 5 million dollar contract while you are giving all those minutes to Ruffin.

I'm done with this back and fourth about Haywood. I'm here to talk basketball and what is best for the Wiz as a diehard Wiz Fan. We can agree to disagree. Peace......

Denesh,

I think the Larry Bird exception was okay until they changed the rules where they start taxing a team that goes above the cap. Dishonest Abe will pay no such tax.

"I sound more stupid that usual.
I can't admit that Les Boules were actually winning games with Gilby.

I am a fool & a stool.

Posted by: DC Man88 | April 11, 2007 03:41 PM"

You wrote it wrong. It's Les BouleS, not Les Boules. And as a matter of fact, Ivan agreed with me that Les BouleS were tanking even with Gilby in the lineup.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Can someone answer this question for me, as I posed it to Ivan Carter during the chat but never really got a good answer."

Denish - I'm not quite sure, but the Larry Bird Exemption does applyand can be used. I think what Ivan was trying to say was if the Wiz sign him to a "crazy" contract, it would probaly take them over the "cap" into the Luxuary Tax Territory, and Honest Abe has made it clear he is not trying to pay one penny of it. Thus, they would like to "fit" Stevenson and Blanthe's two contracts into that 5 million exemption because that won't take them over.

Hopefully, if I got this wrong someone like the GM or DC Mann can correct me where I'm wrong.

Yo DC Mann I thought you would have the answer that is why I referenced you and the GM's name. It looks like you already posted your answer.....

oooh, well if that's the case I would be pretty upset if they let Deshawn go because of not being able to pay the tax. What is it dollar for dollar, so if you sign Andray for $2 mill/ year and offer Deshawn something around $5 mill/year that would be a $2 million dollar tax. In which case they should take $2 mill of the $50 mill they're asking from the city to renovate Verizon center and use it for the tax. Sorry luxury seat fans, no upgrade for you.

In addition if the point of the Larry Bird rule is to not penalize a team for going over the cap to sign their own player, then why would the team have to pay a luxury tax if and when they do go over the cap. Perplexing situation is it not?

Denesh, two things about the Larry Bird exception as I understand it: one, it's only usable to sign players that have played for at least three straight years without changing teams in free agency. And two, DCMan88 is correct that it does not exempt your team from the luxury tax (this year, that started at $61.7 million, versus the salary "soft cap" at $53.1 million), and Abe Pollin has said in the past that he's not willing to pay luxury tax.

(I can't really fault him for that, since it seems like usually it's fairly wasteful of money to pay luxury tax in the NBA. Last year, the Knicks, Mavericks, Magic, Pacers, Grizzlies, and Spurs paid tax, though the Knicks paid by far the most... and from the results, seem to have gotten the least benefit from it.)

I think an evaluation on EJ needs some balance and perspective. I agree that he does seem to be stubborn, his substitution patterns are maddening and he appears to be in love with small ball. However, he's done some positive things. He (or his system) makes guys look WAAAY better than they are. Before he got here, Jamison was a great 6th man for Dallas, a guy too small to be a starting 4, but too slow to be a starting 3. He's still that, but he looks good playing in this system. Butler was a decent enough guy traded twice before arriving here. With the Lakers he had an opportunity to be the man for the last several months of the season while both Bryant and Odom were out. While he was decent, he was nowhere near the player he is here. That's why the Lakers packaged him with another player to take a chance on an unproductive project. Like Jamison, he's undersized for his position and underskilled or not athletic enough to play the position best for his size. I won't even mention Larry Hughes, who got $13mil by looking good for the Wizards and has just been a fraction of the player since - even when healthy.

As far as Gilbert is concerned, he's a true "star talent", but does anyone remember what a turnover machine he was at the end of games when he first got here, with all the behind the back passes and impromptu one-on one drives? I think EJ has won with okay talent, by having a superior offensive system for 3.5 quarters and by relying heavily on veterans.

That said, he DEFINITELY could use a defensive scheme, assistant or whatever. He also needs an approach to develop young talent. It's almost a crime to see young guys who have good games and show hustle get buried on the bench almost immediately thereafter.

Ah, following up already. Yeah, the point of the Larry Bird exception is to help teams keep their own free agents. But the exception was created, I think, when the luxury tax rules were a little different (and more complicated). Nowadays it helps you past the point of exceeding the salary cap - which you can't do at all unless it's under one of the various exceptions to that cap - but not beyond the point of luxury tax. That leaves about $8 million a year of wiggle room, right now.

The 3 year rule would make sense, otherwise every team would sign a player to a one year deal and then max them out the following year. I still don't see how you should get penalized for going over the cap if the player that makes you go over the cap is one that falls under the Larry Bird rule, otherwise the rule is a rather moot point.

"Numbers don't lie, my man."

And, as I've already said, they rarely tell the whole truth.

Foolish, maybe but not impossible.

I confess, my legal background causes me to view most "odd" situations suspiciously although you actually have no facts to negate my theory. Even Lee & Carter - two guys around the team regularly cannot figure his choices.

I agree with the last poster - Darnell.

Second theory: What if what happend in ATL, Phil, Minn, Det has happened with Wiz? Frustration.
Arenas had an outburst himself - Haywood same banished to Siberia - Blatch also? Why is he left to sit tho ready? Kalorama, what if there is anarchy - frustration on this team because the players don't under his theories or system? Look in the eyes faces of the players.

A rebellion or verbal outburst follow a great period of frustration. Do you think these guys would volunatrily tank their season? I say not but they have to do what the coach directs.

"First of all, I have only been posting in this Wizard's Insider Blog for a couple of weeks now, so I have no idea what your stance has been on the Ruffin or Booth situation.""

I've only been posting here a couple of weeks as well. And in that time I've repeatedly criticized the use of Ruffin and the non-use of Booth. And if you're not familiar with what people have said before, you should probably avoid framing your posts in such a way as to make them seem critical of what people have said before, esp. when they haven't actually said it.

"These chats are about facts and "stats". So, please don't tell me that line does not matter because it does."

These chats are about basketball, and basketball is about more than stats. So please don't throw out stats like they're the holy grail of truth, because they're not.

"If you are hating on Haywood because he is pouting and upset about playing time, so be it. That's your choice. All I am trying to say is it is not helping leaving him on the bench not earning any trade value with a 5 million dollar contract while you are giving all those minutes to Ruffin."

I'm not "hating" on anyone. I have no emotional investment in Haywood whatsoever.

And that last sentence of yours is telling. Despite your adherence to the 30-mpg statline as proof of Brendan's value to the team, you now admit that you want Haywood in the game to raise his trade value so they can more easily be rid of him? Well, I'm fairly certain Eddie and Ernie couldn't care less about his trade value right now.

Move over DCman!!! Somebody's stealing your thunder!! Before it was you Lisa, Geo, Gack & GM back & forth..Its gotta make you feel good that somebody else gets to have that warm & fuzzy feeling?

Ahhh yes, the playoffs bring out the best in us all.

Infrequentblogger - Great post. I guess I have not looked at it like that. Something to think about.........

Kalorama, what if there is anarchy - frustration on this team because the players don't under his theories or system? Look in the eyes faces of the players."

I have no doubt they're frustrated with the losing. But what good does it do them to tank games? None that I can see. And I seriously doubt Caron had his hand put into cast and Gilbert had surgery on his knee to get out of playing.

I really don't follow your line of reasoning.

No more excuses for EJ. I know Gilbert and Caron are out, but that play call, coupled with his decision to leave Donnell Taylor in with only a few seconds left, are befuddling and just plain stupid, I think. At this point in the season, no matter who's hurt, he should know his personnel, and he should understand that your best ballhandler is AD. With Gilbert out, AD is also the best at drawing contact. Not to mention, you have AJ, who can score off the dribble by himself, also. If nothing else, though, EJ should've sent some screens to the top of the key to free up DeShawn. What happened last night was nonsense.

I've felt all year, pretty much, that EJ probably needed to go after this season. He probably won't be fired for two reasons: One, he signed an extension in the off-season (because Gilbert strong-armed the organization), and two, because Gilbert and Caron are hurt, meaning the FO will just chalk up the end of this season and whatever happens in the playoffs as a loss because of the injuries.

I've also advocating for paying a true PG with Gilbert. I think AD has proven how effectively he can move the ball, and the offense looks more fluid with him running the show. Next season, I wouldn't mind seeing AD play PG with Gil at the SG.

The last paragraph should start: "I've also advocated playing a true PG ..."

And please, enough with the "when he plays 30 mpg" nonsense. As the saying goes: "There are three types of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics." Or, to put it another way, numbers may never lie, but they rarely tell the whole truth.

Posted by: kalorama | April 11, 2007 03:11 PM

kalorama - apparently EG and Gilbert don't agree with your view on stats. This is from Gilbert's blog:

"I did my stats from last year to this year, I sat with the General Manager, you know, I'm actually doing better this year than I did last year. Even though I had nine turnovers yesterday, I'm still two less than I was and if you take those 10 questionable charges they've been giving me this season - there's about 10 of them - you know, that drops my turnovers down 12 less than I had last year.

He felt I was down because he asked me, "How do you think you're playing this year?" And I told him, "Oh, I'm not playing very well." And he was like, "Numbers don't lie." So he showed me the numbers, he said besides the shooting percentage, everything is up. Steals is up, rebounds up, assists up..."

Having read that I am surprised that EG hasn't summoned EJ to his office and told him to sit Ruffin, start Haywoood and get Blatche more minutes. Not sure what the deal is there, but clearly numbers do mean something to Grunfeld whose opinion I respect more than anyone else's in the entire Wizard's organization.

Oh yes, more power to them!

No one's saying that numbers don't mean anything, but they don't mean everything. Esp. when used to try and quantify the value of an average role player like Haywood.

Sometimes I think we tend to forget that we are a few games short of completing four full seasons since the end of MJ's last year here.
I know that he was 40 yrs. old and not the MJ that won the 6 titles, but he was clearly the best player on a team that won 33 games. We signed Gilbert Arenas and gave most of that roster another go because with the contracts that we had we didn't have much choice and stumbled to 20 some wins.
Plain and simple injuries have destroyed this season. When this team surged in Dec. and Jan. most forget that EJ was doing so without a backup power forward because Songalia spent the first 45 games on the shelf and Ruffin missed most of the first half of the season. Brendan and Etan were both out at the same time and we won a game with Lang getting minutes at center.
It hasn't been just the big three, but that is what has sank us no matter what some say, we've gone a half of a season with two of our best three on the shelf. Nobody wins in the NBA without their best players. The Nets were left for dead when one of their big three went down. Now I wouldn't want them in round one.
This has been a frustrating second half, but when MJ drove away did anyone think that we'd be going to the playoffs for the third straight year? Really?

The only thing I have to say about that is I'd rather be in the lottery this year than the playoffs.

HHHHHHHOOOOOOOLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Zo's regained his youth by playing against Les BouleS. He's eating Etan's lunch and dinner.

BTH's price just went up.

i'm not able to watch the game, but i'm following it online....and totally laughed when with 1 minute left in the game and the wiz down by 1, it said "D Stevenson misses a layup"

it's okay though, cause we're going to the playoffs....y'all expect too much. whenever i see that my expectations have raised too much, i flash back to how things were 10 years ago, and i'm happy once again, and think about jim mora's press conference....PLAYOFFS?!?! TALKIN BOUT PLAYOFFS?!?!

WAIT A SECOND...DID I SEE BACKBOURT VIOLATION?!?! oh my goodness, we really do find new ways to lose. i'm thoroughly amazed.

at least the wizards covered the +9.5 spread and made me some money. AND we're goin to the playoffs. i feel good again.

Think Gerry McNamara could help the Wizards as a backup pg? He's in the D League.

Many people have pointed out that Jordan needs to hire a defensive assistant. Well he did that last summer. His name is Bill Berry. Take it for what you will. As for yet another maddening defeat. I stayed away from watching this game until the 4th quarter and then I saw a lineup with Taylor, Booth, Mason, Songaila and Blatche fighting hard and actually putting the Wizards in the lead and my hopes were raised. I should have known better, I should have foreseen that this team would get called for THREE @)$(*#)$(*#@)( CHARGES in the final minutes (1 by Mason and 2 by Stevenson). Then of course an iso for Stevenson coming out of the timeout with 7 seconds left on the shot clock ends with him missing the rim on a layup. Holy (expletive deleted).
Even when they do the right thing (instead of an iso they swing the ball and get Daniels an open look at a 3), Mourning blocks the shot and clatters into Daniels (where was the damn foul ref?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?). It is almost too much to take.
If I see Stevenson on one more iso near the end of the game, I swear I might toss him and Jordan in the Anacostia River.

"As for yet another maddening defeat."

I actually had to hold myself back from crying after this game.

There's just not enough in the tank on the Wizards to win. Every game it's the same thing, the other team waits until 5 minutes left and pulls away with a win.

If the other teams were giving 100% the Wiz would be getting blown out guys/girls.

The playoffs are going to be painful. I feel like I'm watching the Bullets of old when the best player we had was Bernard King(Jamison).

I'm not really looking foward to the playoffs right now. Sorry to sound so negative everyone.

- Ray

Where's Waldo (aka Lisa)????

Well, not surprised, but Le Heat beat Les BouleS again. You know your team is in a sad situation when you have Donnell Taylor bringing the ball up the court and taking the last shot to try to tie the game. If you look at the stats, Les BouleS did everything comparatively better, except their shooting %. DS apparently couldn't feel his face this game because his hands were tied behind his back.

BTH proved that despite ET's success these past few games, BTH is a true center, as he had much more success against Zo than ET. 14 pts, 10 boards in 22 minutes. You'd have to seriously wonder if BTH goes, or EJ goes because even Ivan/Michael reported today that it's EJ who's got a problem with BTH, not EG.

I tell you this, watching the Wizards has me ready for the white coats, the straitjacket, the rubber room and the pudding they feed the inmates for dinner. I almost feel sorry for the players, because I think that this has to make them as crazy as it is making me. At least I hope it does.

Well, Eddie FINALLY played Brendan tonight and he looked good. I don't believe he was playing at the end, though and should have been.

It's tragic....playoffs or not I don't see us winning another regular season game.

daaaamn....orioles vs. tigers....top 12th inning, orioles give up a grand slam...
our area teams sure as hell know how to lose games.

I've said it once, I'll say it again. You have to laugh, because otherwise you'd cry.

This is such a psychologically disturbing final 1/3 of the season that you wonder what is the psyche of this team. Going out on the court everyday playing but knowing that you will lose, not knowing if you're going to play, or sit on the pine, etc. must be very frustrating. This season will turn out to be a very emotionally scarring experience for the players, that you might have to blow the team up or clean out the coaching staff.

I've said it before, it's probably better for the players if the season ended now, with no playoffs. Backing into the playoffs knowing that you're going to lose anyway because you can't even win against sub.500 teams or playoff teams taking it easy without their stars right before the playoffs. It's sad. A complete and utter debacle of a season.

Taking it easy? I am not sure you can say that about the Heat. I mean Shaq is on bereavement leave and Haslem has a legit injury. If they were taking it easy Wade wouldn't be playing yet.

Well, I looked at the box score, and Riley did not run his starters ragged with a lot of PT even though this game was close and their starters weren't in any sort of foul trouble. Wade is being used these final couple of games as a "get the cobwebs" out kind of mode. He's just warming up and getting ready for what really matters, the playoffs.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=270411014

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=270410030

The Heat taking it easy? Makes me laugh.....the things that kid comes up with.....

Good to see losing brings out the best in a team's fans. Now it REALLY feels like the Redskins Insider in here!

Eddie Jordan makes himself look bad.

After giving Blatche and Haywood a combined 5 minutes against NJ, they combine for 23 and 15 against Mia.

EJ's rotations make it look like he is just guessing.

Gack, it is frustrating, but look at this way. This team is worthy of the anger we are venting. It is capable of winning these games and isn't winning them because of a number of things. They are a putting for hard work and tough play, they aren't like the Redskins, many of whom aren't fit to wear the jersey. So it is worth getting mad when they lose, agonizing games like this. It isn't worth it with the Redskins, they just plain stink.

Here's the bright side to cheer up the Les BouleS fans:

Even though we are not in the lottery, if we keep losing, it'll improve our draft positioning!!!!!! Yay!

Right now, we are picking #20 right behind the Lakers. Looking at the list, unfortunately Philly as 2 picks before us, including a lottery pick, so they'll get better quick. Atlanta may have 2 picks too. New Jersey, Detroit, and Charlotte has picks before us, and so does New Orleans and Chicago.

Therefore, the story is that despite us getting into the playoffs, a of other teams in the playoffs, and not in the playoffs, have better lottery positioning. Bummer.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/index

Crazy question....but isn't there anyone out there the Wiz could bring in to help?
Scottie Pippen still interested in playing? Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I am gay.
& my b-ball & french spelling sucks too.
Balding. Must not self destruct.

I luv me some 80;s style close but no cigar bulletz basketball. Yeah slow it down & share the ball. On our way to 6 straight losses.

Hmmm.where did I learn to coach ball...Gene Shue school of setting screens & letting Jeff Malone shoot.

YEs. I am an idiot.

& it BUWAAAAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAA

Too little, too late honey. Stick a fork in them, they were done a long time ago.

"EJ's rotations make it look like he is just guessing."

Well, right now he is. He has to. He's in unchartered territory and he's trying to cobble together a map on the fly. Whatever slim chance they'll have of doing anything in the playoffs depends on getting contributions from everybody. This team is held together with glue and duct tape and he has, what, 4 more games to figure out how to make sure the parts all work. He's already tried playing his veterans 40 mpg and that didn't work. He's tried giving the bench guys extended run in the clutch, that didn't work. He's tried mixing them up, that didn't work. Seriously, what else does anyone expect him to do? He can only play the cards he's dealt, and he's got a crap hand.

Infrequent, Wiz Management hired a Defensive coach BUT Jordan didn't like nor wished to work w/him because HE didn't hire him. He prefers to hire his own staff was displeased. This is the mindset of the Wizard's coach who sat Haywood for how many games?

who's the person that threw out the thought this was already planned or whatever? I'm starting to believe it.

No, Butler's hand was legitimately injured but Gilbert's walk off court very suspect - even Ivan noted that in his article. The NBA business is ruthless.

Jordan is playing the bench guys for their futures - not to win a game. These games are starring Hall, Taylor, Mason, Stevenson, Daniels and as of tonite- Brendan ie the guys they are planning to release.

Someone also wrote: Brendan's stock went up tonite. Think about it..they needed BH at every game.

EJ mentioned that fact in Ivan's article 4/10/07 - Its their time to shine to salvage their NBA careers. Thats it period.
The featured players? Song, Jamison, Thomas, Hayes,Blatche - will remain.

I'm not legal person but this man is not trying to win one game and ain't scared of losing his job. Butler stands on side near tears but nothing from Arenas but memorabilia and T shirt disgtribution. His business keeps going on while these guys and the fans - the turdie end of the stick

"No, Butler's hand was legitimately injured but Gilbert's walk off court very suspect..."

Suspect? Suspect, how? They guy was hurt. It wasn't a career threatening injury. It wasn't a crippling one. But it was painful and it required surgery. I know because I had the same injury. I walked around with it for a while before I couldn't take the pain and finally had the surgery, but I'm not a pro athlete, not a lot of running and jumping required in the IT industry.

All this conspircay talk is ridiculous. Jordan gains nothing by tanking ames, neither do the players or the organization. Crap happens. It's that simple..

"I know that the 4 and 5 are in greatest need of being addressed, but they are not going to be able to get an impact big in their draft position."
Posted by: M.E.G.

What are you talking about? "I know"? Really? We already have six or seven power forwards: Jamison, Songaila, Blatche, Ruffin, Pecherov, Veermenko. We should waive Ruffin, but that would still leave us with TOO MANY power fowards.

What we really need is a center, a back up small foward, and a guard. Bring over Navarro and we would need a center and a back up small forward.

Let's either draft a center and a back up small forward, or package our picks and future pick and Brenda for a vet, or whatever. But we've got to get a center and a back up small forward and a guard -- that much I know.

Kalorama, If I'm so nuts what does this tell you? Read my friend.

It happens more than you know.

They tire of team management & losing, etc.

TMac did it in Orlando.
Its part of the business.

This is regarding KG done for season.

An injury was news to his teammates.

From ESPN:

The situation is similar to last season. With the Wolves eliminated from postseason contention, Garnett sat out the final six games with tendinitis in his right knee.

"I don't know if it's a similar problem, right leg," McHale said. "He's had problems off and on. As a player, when you go through chronic stuff after a while ... at least if you find out exactly what it is so you can take a course of action."

If Garnett does not return this season, there will be speculation that he has played his last game for the Timberwolves. He can opt out of his contract after the 2007-08 season, and the Wolves could entertain trade offers this summer, or through the trade deadline next season, to avoid losing him without compensation.

Garnett has never indicated that he would seek a trade, but he has expressed frustration through another disappointing season in which the Wolves will miss the playoffs for the third straight year.

"Consistency, not being able to have an identity, we never established that from day one," Garnett said at the shootaround. "We always flirted with being a really good defensive team but never truly wanted to do that. Some nights we wanted to run and be an up-and-down team. We'd do that some nights but never really committed to that. You have to get some consistency in what you're doing."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

KG sounds like everybody on this blog.
You have to get some consistency in what you're doing.

"Kalorama, If I'm so nuts what does this tell you?"

It tells me absolutely nothing with regard to the Wizards because it has nothing to do with the Wizards. Caron broke his hand and has it in a cast. Gilbert had surgery on his knee. The Wizards are in the playoffs.

Apples and oranges.

To the guy kalorrama? I just read your post about nba teams never tanking a season.

How old are you? some kid? What do you think TMAC did to Orlando? Check out ESPN -
video & report on teams "tanking season"

I don't know the Matt person - but its a pretty reg practice.

Whats up with your star player Gilbert Arenas - sent pictures of himself to ESPN bro lookin slick - dressed! bro promoting his blog!! Whats up with that? His team is drowning!!! literally and he can't come to the d---- game? He make $11 mill ?
After McNabb broke his ankle - he was at the sixers & Knicks game. but your man can't make it to see his own team.

For your

"I just read your post about nba teams never tanking a season."

No, actually you didn't. Because I never posted any such thing. What I said was that the Wizards, in their current circumstance, have no incentive for tanking. And they don't. And I have yet to see anyone post anything that presents a reasonable argument to the contrary.

Get your own facts straight before attempting to challenge other people's.