Kool-Aid Drinking, Season Turnaround Thread

[hands11]

I am feeling really, irrationally exuberant and excited about this team. I think they can do it. The players know they can do it. Would be one of the most amazing, exciting sports stories EVAH to make it to the playoffs cause in order to do so they'd have to play at championship contender level. If they make the playoffs, they will go DEEP into the playoffs.

CHAMPEENSHIP OR BUST!!!!

Its a fun story. From worst record in the league to talking about playoffs. And that is the important thing for this club. They have been so down ever since the Gil knee injury and then later the gun thing. Then they blow it up. They changed owners, etc.

They have been through a lot.

To be dreaming of the playoffs with the record they have while nearing the mid point of the season...that is pure gold for a locker room and I like this locker room. Wall has been waiting over two years for this. And for Beal, its a much better way to come into the league then what Wall experienced. And that is why they made the trade for Trevor A and Okafor. They wanted to stabilize the team. They already had Nene for McGee and they saw how that helped.

Young players learn to play the right way by playing on teams that have some vets that are doing it. And winning some.

Most likely, the Celtics lose again tonight to Miami. That puts the eight slot at 4 games under .500
Next closest team is Philly at 7 games under .500

The question will be, how good are the Sixers with Bynum.

Wizards are 8 1/2 games out.

Will they make it. Oh course it isn't likely. But a fun story to follow.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Seven wins and three losses is actually pretty close to the "three wins for every loss" pace the zards have to reach to make the playoffs. They needed to go eight and two, so they've lost a little ground, although losing on the road is actually ok - not very many teams have winning road records. Split all remaining road games, be undefeatable at home.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

Actually, Boston has lost 6 in a row, and is now 20-23 with the eight best record in the east. While still being probably an impossibility, the playoffs are starting to look a little more doable. A 27-13 record the rest of the way might be sufficient, which would be ~2 wins for every loss. Also, with last night's win, the Wizards have moved ahead of Charlotte, and no longer have the worst record in the NBA.

This year it really does look like eighth in the east will be a shade under .500. I strongly believe 41-wins definitely makes the playoffs, 40-wins probably makes the playoffs, and 39-wins might well be the tie breaker. I do not recall 38-wins and 44 losses ever making the playoffs.

According to former ESPN guru, John Hollinger, the Wizards have a better chance to make the playoffs than Charlotte, Orlando, and Cleveland. His model current projects the odds at 4%. It is based on his power rankings.

Hollinger's 2012-2013 NBA Playoff Odds

[nate33]

If memory serves, the Hawks once made the playoffs with a 37-45 record.

[FAH1223]

CCJ, Indiana made the playoffs at 37-45 two years ago

[montestewart]

CCJ, here are a few more:
1983-1984: Denver (38-44)
1983-1984: Kansas City (38-44)
1986-1987: Denver (37-45)
1991-1992: Miami (38-44)
1994-1995: Boston (35-47)
1996-1997: LA Clippers (36-46)

Baltimore Bullets made the playoffs in 1953 w/ a 16-54 record. Houston made it to the Finals in 1981 w/ a 40-42 record, and to the 2nd round in 1975 w/ a 41-41 record. 1978 Bullets won the championship w/ a 44-38 record, and made it to the Finals in 1971 w/ a 42-40 record.

There is sufficient precedent to allow for the prediction that this juggernaut will.go.all.the.way!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This is the Kool-Aid Season Turnaround Thread and it is based on optimism over things we hope happen. What has happened is a complete Wizards turnaround from December to January.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/tea ... 13/splits/

December Splits (14 games): 88.1 points scored. 95.4 points allowed. Net per game: -7.3
January Splits (14 games): 96.4 points scored. 95.5 points allowed. Net per game: +0.9

Over the last 10 games, Washington is averaging 98.0 and they have allowed 93.3.. Net +4.7

The only teams averaging a greater than +4.7 are OKC, San Antonio, LAC, and Miami.

[montestewart]

This is the Kool-Aid Season Turnaround Thread and it is based on optimism over things we hope happen. What has happened is a complete Wizards turnaround from December to January.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/tea ... 13/splits/

December Splits (14 games): 88.1 points scored. 95.4 points allowed. Net per game: -7.3
January Splits (14 games): 96.4 points scored. 95.5 points allowed. Net per game: +0.9

Over the last 10 games, Washington is averaging 98.0 and they have allowed 93.3.. Net +4.7

The only teams averaging a greater than +4.7 are OKC, San Antonio, LAC, and Miami.

And only the Heat in the East. Can we upset them in the Eastern conf. finals? Maybe trade for DS and sign Delonte West just to bother LeBJ in the series.

[nate33]

Re: The playoffs, the Cavs have been keeping pace with us, they have won 3-straight and are 5-5 the last 10 games. Last night Speights chipped-in 17 points. The Cavs and Washington both could overtake Orlando and Toronto.

I might be wrong, but I have the sense that the Wizards are just a far stronger team than the Cavs. That Cavs remind me of the Wizards in the Arenas days. They notched their share of victories thanks to the individual brilliance of Kyrie Irving, but they don't strike me as a very good team. As with the Arenas team, it feels like fools gold to me. I had no confidence that the Arenas team was a serious threat to a good team, and I have no confidence in the Cavs. They just need better players before they can be taken seriously.

The Wizards, on the other hand, really do have a lot of pretty good players. Talentwise, they can stand up to anybody in the East except Miami. Their defense is exceptional, and they'll play it every night. The offense is still inconsistent, but they're good when Nene plays well, and they can win games ugly even when nobody plays well. Wall also gives them a few real easy points a game with his one-man fast breaks.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This is the Kool-Aid Season Turnaround Thread and it is based on optimism over things we hope happen. What has happened is a complete Wizards turnaround from December to January.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/tea ... 13/splits/

December Splits (14 games): 88.1 points scored. 95.4 points allowed. Net per game: -7.3
January Splits (14 games): 96.4 points scored. 95.5 points allowed. Net per game: +0.9

Over the last 10 games, Washington is averaging 98.0 and they have allowed 93.3.. Net +4.7

The only teams averaging a greater than +4.7 are OKC, San Antonio, LAC, and Miami.

And only the Heat in the East. Can we upset them in the Eastern conf. finals? Maybe trade for DS and sign Delonte West just to bother LeBJ in the series.

The Wizards can only make that 4% playoff possibility (according to Hollinger's model) as the eighth seed. The prize for making the playoffs would be a best of seven vs Miami in round one, monte.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Playoffs

The hope would be Chicago, New York, or Brooklyn overtake the Heat by then. Miami is not going to be allowed to lose in round one.

[hands11]

CCJ, here are a few more:
1983-1984: Denver (38-44)
1983-1984: Kansas City (38-44)
1986-1987: Denver (37-45)
1991-1992: Miami (38-44)
1994-1995: Boston (35-47)
1996-1997: LA Clippers (36-46)

Baltimore Bullets made the playoffs in 1953 w/ a 16-54 record. Houston made it to the Finals in 1981 w/ a 40-42 record, and to the 2nd round in 1975 w/ a 41-41 record. 1978 Bullets won the championship w/ a 44-38 record, and made it to the Finals in 1971 w/ a 42-40 record.

There is sufficient precedent to allow for the prediction that this juggernaut will.go.all.the.way!

Oh Yeah. Some Bullet Fever Baby. Click below to listen to the song.
http://mp3bear.com/nils-lofgren-bullets ... ls-version

Somehow I remember this sounding cooler. lol
Oh the memory of youth.

"The opera ain't over 'til the fat lady sings"

For both younger fans that don't know the history and older fans that are to old to remember, it might be worth reading up on the team.

The Bullets were the only team to play in the NBA Finals four times during the 1970s.

I suggest you stop reading after the 70s. The 80s and forward was the beginning of Abe, the clown years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Wizards

[montestewart]

The hope would be Chicago, New York, or Brooklyn overtake the Heat by then. Miami is not going to be allowed to lose in round one.

Well, the Wizards could try to pull a Tonya Harding on LeBJ and Wade.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If memory serves, the Hawks once made the playoffs with a 37-45 record.

CCJ, Indiana made the playoffs at 37-45 two years ago

CCJ, here are a few more:
1983-1984: Denver (38-44)
1983-1984: Kansas City (38-44)
1986-1987: Denver (37-45)
1991-1992: Miami (38-44)
1994-1995: Boston (35-47)
1996-1997: LA Clippers (36-46)

Baltimore Bullets made the playoffs in 1953 w/ a 16-54 record. Houston made it to the Finals in 1981 w/ a 40-42 record, and to the 2nd round in 1975 w/ a 41-41 record. 1978 Bullets won the championship w/ a 44-38 record, and made it to the Finals in 1971 w/ a 42-40 record.

There is sufficient precedent to allow for the prediction that this juggernaut will.go.all.the.way!

Man, guys with better memory than I have, and also legal counsel citing precedent are making me really want to sip the Kool Aid!

Looking at 35, 36, and 37 wins getting in makes me think that the possibility for Washington is probably more along the lines of 10 or 15% rather than 4%. I do believe this team will reach 35 wins.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The hope would be Chicago, New York, or Brooklyn overtake the Heat by then. Miami is not going to be allowed to lose in round one.

Well, the Wizards could try to pull a Tonya Harding on LeBJ and Wade.

By any means necessary.

[dobrojim]

This is the Kool-Aid Season Turnaround Thread and it is based on optimism over things we hope happen. What has happened is a complete Wizards turnaround from December to January.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/tea ... 13/splits/

December Splits (14 games): 88.1 points scored. 95.4 points allowed. Net per game: -7.3
January Splits (14 games): 96.4 points scored. 95.5 points allowed. Net per game: +0.9

Over the last 10 games, Washington is averaging 98.0 and they have allowed 93.3.. Net +4.7

The only teams averaging a greater than +4.7 are OKC, San Antonio, LAC, and Miami.

And only the Heat in the East. Can we upset them in the Eastern conf. finals? Maybe trade for DS and sign Delonte West just to bother LeBJ in the series.

(with apologies for the redundancy)

No because that would mean we'd have to get the 7th seed to avoid them in the 1st rnd.
I don't see anyone finishing ahead of MIA in reg season (in the east).

I'm actually beginning to believe we could make the playoffs assuming good health
from here on out. BOS vs MIA today...we could well pick up another game in the loss
column moving from 8 to 7 away. If we can cut it to 4-5 by the AS break, we have
a chance.

[AFM]

CCJ, Boston is on pace to finish 8th with a 38-44 record.

[AFM]

Also let's relive this:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x8cOjDtl68[/youtube]

One of the sweetest swishes I've ever seen. Doesn't even touch the rim, causing the bottom of the net to reverse upwards into the cylinder.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

CCJ, Boston is on pace to finish 8th with a 38-44 record.

How weird would it be for both the Lakers and the Celtics to miss the playoffs? They are two old teams whose time has passed. Neither has a shot at winning anything without trades.

[hands11]

For the Wiz to even think about the P word they'll need to do the following before the AS-Break:

Sweep the next 5: @ utah, minny, chicago, sacramento, @phily
Go 500 over the following 4: @Mem, @SAS, LAC, and NYK.
Sweep the last 3: Brooklyn, @Mil, @Det.

Going in the AS-Break at 19-32 is incredibly unlikely and still means they've got a massive hill to climb.

@ Utah - close, but no cigar 92-88
Minny - done - blow out 114-101 but it was even bigger then that 20 pts lead for lots of the game.
Chicago - done - 86-73.. that's right 73 pts. Lowest for Chicago since Dec 17 when they were held to 71

SAC - Looking promising.

This team would need to stay insanely hot in order to make the playoffs and this could all come crashing down at any moment, but its fun to dream while we can.

Keep hope alive.

[hands11]

Also let's relive this:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x8cOjDtl68[/youtube]

One of the sweetest swishes I've ever seen. Doesn't even touch the rim, causing the bottom of the net to reverse upwards into the cylinder.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUNmixWfow[/youtube]


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIYtBSqkbmw[/youtube]

[AFM]

CCJ, Boston is on pace to finish 8th with a 38-44 record.

How weird would it be for both the Lakers and the Celtics to miss the playoffs? They are two old teams whose time has passed. Neither has a shot at winning anything without trades.

Yes, so at the very least we have to win 38 games total, or go 27-12 from here on out. Not impossible.

Washington Wizards vs.
Sacramento King
W


Philadelphia 76ers vs.
Washington Wizards
W


Memphis Grizzlies vs.
Washington Wizards
L


San Antonio Spurs vs.
Washington Wizards
L


Washington Wizards vs.
Los Angeles Clippers
L


Washington Wizards vs.
New York Knicks
L


Washington Wizards vs.
Brooklyn Nets
W


Milwaukee Bucks vs.
Washington Wizard
W

Detroit Pistons vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Toronto Raptors
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Denver Nuggets
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Houston Rockets
W


Toronto Raptors vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Detroit Pistons
W

Washington Wizards vs.
New York Knicks
L

Washington Wizards vs.
Philadelphia 76ers
W

Minnesota Timberwolves vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Brooklyn Nets vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Charlotte Bobcats
W

Cleveland Cavaliers vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Milwaukee Bucks
W

Washington Wizards vs.
New Orleans Hornets
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Phoenix Suns
W

Charlotte Bobcats vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Phoenix Suns vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Los Angeles Lakers vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Golden State Warriors vs.
Washington Wizards
L

Washington Wizards vs.
Memphis Grizzlies
L

Oklahoma City Thunder vs.
Washington Wizards
L

Orlando Magic vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Toronto Raptors
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Chicago Bulls
W


Toronto Raptors vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Washington Wizards vs.
Indiana Pacers
W

Boston Celtics vs.
Washington Wizards
W

New York Knicks vs.
Washington Wizards
L

Washington Wizards vs.
Miami Heat
W


Washington Wizards vs.
Philadelphia 76ers
W

Brooklyn Nets vs.
Washington Wizards
W

Chicago Bulls vs.
Washington Wizards
W


Above are my predictions. I have us losing to the elite teams LAC, MIA, OKC, SAS, NYK, except for the last week game against the Heat where I assume they will be resting their big 3. This gives us a record of 30 - 9 from here on out, finishing with 41 wins total. I think I have been very conservative in my estimates as I don't have them upsetting any elite team like we did against MIA and OKC already.
As stated before they only need to win 27 games, not 30. Call me crazy but an 8th seed is looking more and more plausible.