GT #35: 76ers @ Bullets 7 PM (NBCSW/980 AM) [12/27/22]

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I said a few weeks ago that they would go on a mini win streak…and here it is.

10th pick here we come.

This is our middle build in action. Genius!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Embiid has not seen THIS all season.

KP is taller and DG can block his shot. Fatigue set in

Crickets chirping cuz I knew all along what others will soon bandwagon jump on

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Shocking that it took WUJ as long as it did to realize how big of a donut Barton is.

I knew once Wright returned perimeter defense would improve and shot jacking would diminish.

No need to blow up the team.

I don't think Wes had an option at the backup 2 before Wright came back. Now, he's not playing Goodwin and Barton. No Gill. He's also going big with Kuz at the 3 so there are only so few minutes available for Rui, Kispert and Deni off the bench.

No Barton
No Gill
No need BUT THEY ARE SOLID
People
Teammates
Fill ins

I like Gill because of his U VA and defense

I like Barton because he’s microwave hot sometimes and FEARLESS and he’s good finishing in transition

Just like Gibson the are bench guys

NOT VETERANS WUJ SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLAYING AHEAD OF young talent that needs minutes

Not imo

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I said a few weeks ago that they would go on a mini win streak…and here it is.

10th pick here we come.

This is our middle build in action. Genius!

I said weeks ago they will be 15-25 which is still 30-32 win pace.

We’re both on target so far.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The Wizards gonna wiz some how some way.

Push for eighth seed even making BAD TRADE…that’s likely IMO

[montestewart]

I said a few weeks ago that they would go on a mini win streak…and here it is.

10th pick here we come.

This is our middle build in action. Genius!

More like muddle build

[dobrojim]

Holy shid

Read on Twitter

They should be re-hired

[dobrojim]

Tank time. Beal with another hamstring injury.

I don't know if this is good or bad but it's the other hamstring

[dobrojim]

Beal didn’t play at all the last few minutes.

'cause he was hurt.

He has been our best player on the year, when he's played.

[dobrojim]

Was Beal really not out there for the final minutes? Our super max player was on the bench?

I thought he left due to injury

Re-injured his hamstring.

Not exactly. He hurt the other hamstring.

[dobrojim]

Rui was very impressive in the first half. He earned all of his points. He wasn't the opportunistic recipient of shots created by others. He was instrumental in building the lead. He would be a POTG candidate except he did nothing on the rest of the stat sheet. 1 rebound and 0 assists.

Deni struggled to stay on the floor because Philly was playing a lot of zone and basically just ignored Deni. I was surprised when Wes stuck with Deni down the stretch instead of replacing him with a shooter (Kispert or Rui). But Wes' faith in Deni paid off as Deni made several key defensive plays down the stretch to help secure the win. I loved that Deni calmly knocked down those 2 free throws to clinch the game.

Porzingis was real good defensively. He cleaned up the mess after several defensive breakdowns. He ended up with 3 blocks and 2 steals. I think he was POTG over Beal.

Wright is a defensive menace. He is approaching Gary Payton II territory with his absolutely lethal impact on the opposition's offense. It really is remarkable to see a guard make such a difference defensively. The team is 5-1 when Wright plays.

Kuzma was a disaster tonight. It's important to remember nights like this when evaluating Kuzma. Kuzma can look really good when those shots are falling, but he can really shoot you out of a game when they're not. Tonight he went 4-13 with 4 turnovers. Yikes! That said, I have to give him props for hustling back on D and thwarting a Philly fast break late in the 4th quarter. That was a huge play!

Back in OCT I commented that Wright's injury would have an outsized effect given his status as a backup PG.
It wasn't a difficult observation to come up with. He really helps the team, especially the 2nd unit.
Was glad that Goodwin exceeded expectations in his absence but the team is so much better
with Wright.

PS - props to Rui as well. His role as a scorer off the bench has been pretty successful
and much needed. Always helpful to have at least one bench guy who helps the team
avoid scoring droughts.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Rui was very impressive in the first half. He earned all of his points. He wasn't the opportunistic recipient of shots created by others. He was instrumental in building the lead. He would be a POTG candidate except he did nothing on the rest of the stat sheet. 1 rebound and 0 assists.

Deni struggled to stay on the floor because Philly was playing a lot of zone and basically just ignored Deni. I was surprised when Wes stuck with Deni down the stretch instead of replacing him with a shooter (Kispert or Rui). But Wes' faith in Deni paid off as Deni made several key defensive plays down the stretch to help secure the win. I loved that Deni calmly knocked down those 2 free throws to clinch the game.

Porzingis was real good defensively. He cleaned up the mess after several defensive breakdowns. He ended up with 3 blocks and 2 steals. I think he was POTG over Beal.

Wright is a defensive menace. He is approaching Gary Payton II territory with his absolutely lethal impact on the opposition's offense. It really is remarkable to see a guard make such a difference defensively. The team is 5-1 when Wright plays.

Kuzma was a disaster tonight. It's important to remember nights like this when evaluating Kuzma. Kuzma can look really good when those shots are falling, but he can really shoot you out of a game when they're not. Tonight he went 4-13 with 4 turnovers. Yikes! That said, I have to give him props for hustling back on D and thwarting a Philly fast break late in the 4th quarter. That was a huge play!

(Forewarning: I’m really struggling with sinus issues, sleep deprived, and there’s been violence and general mayhem in my neighborhood . Love ya, nate33 but I’m coming in HOT this early AM)


Kuzma hit corner threes.

Rewatch the game and TRY TO TAKE OFF hater specs. Kuzma carried the Wizards the entire third quarter.

SMH

Kuzma shot poorly and he had 4 turnovers. OTOH he did have 8 rebounds. He did attack the lane aggressively and he contributed to Embiid getting fatigued and in a bit of foul trouble.

Next to KP at +14 “disaster” was game second at +11.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This game I had ZERO complaints!



WUJ coached really well AND HAVING ALL HIS PLAYERS did help.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

A loss tonight along with an Orlando win versus Detroit would put us back tied for 5th worst record in league. Despite winning 3 of 4, we're still basically where we were at in grand scheme of things. We've lost a little ground for an outright shot at top 3 odds, but out tanking DET and CHA looks near impossible at this point. San Antonio and Houston with a loss tonight are only about 2 to 3 games worse.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Beal didn’t play at all the last few minutes.

'cause he was hurt.

He has been our best player on the year, when he's played.

Arguably KP but I agree that Bradley has been fine EXCEPT IN CLUTCH AS UTILIZED by Wes Jr.

Beal is one hell of a good basketball player. I agree, Jim.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

A loss tonight along with an Orlando win versus Detroit would put us back tied for 5th worst record in league. Despite winning 3 of 4, we're still basically where we were at in grand scheme of things. We've lost a little ground for an outright shot at top 3 odds, but out tanking DET and CHA looks near impossible at this point. San Antonio and Houston with a loss tonight are only about 2 to 3 games worse.

We’re too talented to not be mediocre (if not better) with all players healthy.

[DCZards]

Beal didn’t play at all the last few minutes.

'cause he was hurt.

He has been our best player on the year, when he's played.

Arguably KP but I agree that Bradley has been fine EXCEPT IN CLUTCH AS UTILIZED by Wes Jr.

Beal is one hell of a good basketball player. I agree, Jim.

Yes…there have been some games where Beal let us down in the clutch but there have also been games where Beal came through in the clutch.

[bsilver]

Drew Gooden had some interesting comments on guarding Harden and Embiid, and the replays backed it up. Even if the defender has good defensive position, they will initiate hard contact with the defender, or swing their arms into the defenders arms. They almost always get the foul call.
Gooden said the defender should try to initiate the contact. I guess that means guarding them "physically". Not easy but the best defenders find a way.

[dobrojim]

Drew Gooden had some interesting comments on guarding Harden and Embiid, and the replays backed it up. Even if the defender has good defensive position, they will initiate hard contact with the defender, or swing their arms into the defenders arms. They almost always get the foul call.
Gooden said the defender should try to initiate the contact. I guess that means guarding them "physically". Not easy but the best defenders find a way.

I've noticed this is the approach opp have taken to guarding KP. Since finding a defender as tall as
he is is nearly impossible, they stop worrying about height/length and just get up in his grill
and be physical. Refs have apparently shown fatigue in calling fouls as games go on.