Game 6: A historic Bust!!

[Cramer]

I don't know CCJ, I'm frustrated as well, but in my mind tonight settled something once and for all.

Are the Wiz better without Gil?

No **** way.

Gil is the kind of player by himself that could have made the difference in a 20 point game.

Can Caron? No.

I love Caron, I really do. As a player and as a person and where he's gotten to from where he was. What he's accomplished as a player pales in comparison to what he's accomplished as a person. But, in my opinion, what he is is the ultimate supporting player. Can he have those moments or games that are special? Of course he can. But he's a supporting player and as good a supporting player as you can find. Can you imagine him on that Cavs team with LeBron? Wow. Can you see him on that Cavs team without Lebron. Not real special is it?

Gil is a superstar player with major flaws, but a special player that can carry a team for quarters, days, weeks or months. All this talk about they're better without him...garbage...by no stretch of the imagination.

They guys that are there, Caron included, needed to adapt to him and get over this "they don't move as well when he has the ball" crap or what ever it's supposed to be.

Tonight should be the living proof, this team is very limited without him. Gil, not Caron, is the future of this team.....

Gil AND Caron is the future of this team......

but this team without Gil is dead.

[80sballboy]

I'm assuming D'Antoni is going to stay, but for those clamoring for him and hate the fact that EJ uses a short bench, he used a 7-man rotation in the playoffs. He had a Hall of Fame PG, great young PF, a terrific defender, a great sixth man and an aging but still effective Diesel Cactus-and they got creamed in five games. Just like when people wanted EJ to use DMac for defense or Young for scoring, Mikey D refused to play DJ Strawberry, a very good wing defender with no playoff experience. Just like the other rooks.

All I'm saying is that if you make the switch, which I doubt will happen, you better get the right guy and the right players. Right now, after watching EG before the game and EJ after, I get the feeling that just about everybody will be back and we'll have the same problems as last year because we're going to draft a guy in the first round that won't help us for another year or two (unless we get Hibbert).

[GilbertisNice72]

I HATE... EDDIE... JORDAN!

[80sballboy]

I don't know CCJ, I'm frustrated as well, but in my mind tonight settled something once and for all.

Are the Wiz better without Gil?

No **** way.

Gil is the kind of player by himself that could have made the difference in a 20 point game.

Can Caron? No.

I love Caron, I really do. As a player and as a person and where he's gotten to from where he was. What he's accomplished as a player pales in comparison to what he's accomplished as a person. But, in my opinion, what he is is the ultimate supporting player. Can he have those moments or games that are special? Of course he can. But he's a supporting player and as good a supporting player as you can find. Can you imagine him on that Cavs team with LeBron? Wow. Can you see him on that Cavs team without Lebron. Not real special is it?

Gil is a superstar player with major flaws, but a special player that can carry a team for quarters, days, weeks or months. All this talk about they're better without him...garbage...by no stretch of the imagination.

They guys that are there, Caron included, needed to adapt to him and get over this "they don't move as well when he has the ball" crap or what ever it's supposed to be.

Tonight should be the living proof, this team is very limited without him. Gil, not Caron, is the future of this team.....

Gil AND Caron is the future of this team......

but this team without Gil is dead.
_________________

We still wouldn't have won the series with him. He wouldn't have helped the rebounding up front. If you are talking about Gil pre-knee injury, then fine-it's a 7-game series. But we haven't seen anything resembling the All-Star player in over a year. Will he ever be the same again and if he's not, will he become more of a true point guard. I don't think he can ever be a Nash or a Kidd, because he always tries to make the spectacular play instead of the simple pass. Everything is highlihgt film to him. If the guy can't get his knee right, I don't know if he'll ever be more than a combo guard with a jump shot that can't get to the basket anymore or at least won't try.

Now I do think that Cleveland did the smart thing and every coach would have doubled Butler and he responded poorly. Whomever guard AD, would drift a little because the guy couldn't or wouldn't shoot. Maybe that's partially his wrist, but he was never a good shooter anyway.

I'm a little less angry now, but I still thing we can't go anywhere without a shakeup and other teams below us will soon pass us unless something is done to bring in a true power forward like a Brand and a point guard.

[Cramer]

You really don't think we take this series, with this team and a healthy -16 months ago - Gil? I don't think it's close, I really don't.

Yea, we need a beast of a PF but I don't know how to get him other than get lucky. I don't think thrying to move Gil to do it is the answer, and I'm convinced you're going to get pennies on the dollar for him these days.

[omegatronic3]

well deja vu all over again.............i think we obviously hit the wall with this lineup....not that weve seen it healthy really.

obviously we need a deeper team cos we seem to play our starters to death.
I thought Jamison was solid. Caron needed to be more aggressive...He had Wally guarding him for crying out loud.

Big questions this offseason........even if arenas comes back is he gonna be effective.....he obviously hurt his value by coming back...i actually wouldnt be surprised if ha didnt opt out.

This series showed that we need size and muscle. And a bench.

The bench was my biggest dissapointment this year...Pecherov was a bust Young did squat Mcguire likewise.

Abe better bite the bullet and get us a bench if he ever wants to get better.

[tsvqt]

tsvqt, you throw out Dorsey over and over and over. How many games difference do you really think he'd make on this team?

I think the over/under is 2. I'll take the under.

Cramer, you have your opinion......I have mine. It's not an over under, side to side thing. I think the guy would be a very nice addition to this current roster. I think he'd bring toughness, rebounding, and defense. I'm not gonna sit here and say he'd be our saviour or anything like that. You "DUHHH" for thinking I'm saying that!! Everybody has players they like coming out of the draft who they feel can help their team. DORSEY is my guy. So what he's not high on your list...or Dat's list or whomever.
So go right ahead and take the under......I'm not losing any sleep over it (or under it)

You're a funny guy Cramer......one of those know-it-alls who runs from post to post trying to rain on peoples parades. Well, my friend, tsvqt carries an umbrella just for people like you.

[Wizards2Lottery]

You're a funny guy Cramer......one of those know-it-alls who runs from post to post trying to rain on peoples parades. Well, my friend, tsvqt carries an umbrella just for people like you.

[Kanyewest]

I don't know CCJ, I'm frustrated as well, but in my mind tonight settled something once and for all.

Are the Wiz better without Gil?

No **** way.

Gil is the kind of player by himself that could have made the difference in a 20 point game.

Can Caron? No.

I love Caron, I really do. As a player and as a person and where he's gotten to from where he was. What he's accomplished as a player pales in comparison to what he's accomplished as a person. But, in my opinion, what he is is the ultimate supporting player. Can he have those moments or games that are special? Of course he can. But he's a supporting player and as good a supporting player as you can find. Can you imagine him on that Cavs team with LeBron? Wow. Can you see him on that Cavs team without Lebron. Not real special is it?

Gil is a superstar player with major flaws, but a special player that can carry a team for quarters, days, weeks or months. All this talk about they're better without him...garbage...by no stretch of the imagination.

They guys that are there, Caron included, needed to adapt to him and get over this "they don't move as well when he has the ball" crap or what ever it's supposed to be.

Tonight should be the living proof, this team is very limited without him. Gil, not Caron, is the future of this team.....

Gil AND Caron is the future of this team......

but this team without Gil is dead.

Great post.

[B Mac]

Hey guys.. I tried waiting a bit hoping things would cool down and I wouldnt be viewed as a troll.

I know some of us have "gotten in to it" in various threads throughout realgm, but I just wanted to come in and offer some encouragement. I honestly think that your team is a lot closer to contention than many of you think. Obviously I think some changes need to be made, but you guys definately have a strong core built and with a few minor tweaks (and not having to play us in the first round ) I think you guys could put a strong run together.

Unfortunately for you guys, you have had to matchup with a team that just has your number, for 3 years now (2 that count). We as Cleveland fans definately know how that feels. We thought we had the best team in the league back in the BullvsCavs years, but we always got it handed to us by MJ. I know alternate scenarios dont go a long way in making you feel any better, but I just wanted to chime in to try to offer an outsiders view, from someone who has got a chance to watch quite a bit of your team now.

Good luck this offseason.. Hopefully the right decisions are made and you guys can make a strong push next year and be fully healthy come playoff time.

I'll probably still call Stevenson some names, as Im sure you will call LeBron plenty of names in the future, but I see no major beef with you all anymore. No hard feelings??

(until next years playoffs)

[Donkey McDonkerton]

Hey guys.. I tried waiting a bit hoping things would cool down and I wouldnt be viewed as a troll.

I know some of us have "gotten in to it" in various threads throughout realgm, but I just wanted to come in and offer some encouragement. I honestly think that your team is a lot closer to contention than many of you think. Obviously I think some changes need to be made, but you guys definately have a strong core built and with a few minor tweaks (and not having to play us in the first round ) I think you guys could put a strong run together.

Unfortunately for you guys, you have had to matchup with a team that just has your number, for 3 years now (2 that count). We as Cleveland fans definately know how that feels. We thought we had the best team in the league back in the BullvsCavs years, but we always got it handed to us by MJ. I know alternate scenarios dont go a long way in making you feel any better, but I just wanted to chime in to try to offer an outsiders view, from someone who has got a chance to watch quite a bit of your team now.

Good luck this offseason.. Hopefully the right decisions are made and you guys can make a strong push next year and be fully healthy come playoff time.

I'll probably still call Stevenson some names, as Im sure you will call LeBron plenty of names in the future, but I see no major beef with you all anymore. No hard feelings??

(until next years playoffs)

**** that ****!

[Induveca]

-= original quote snipped =-




**** that ****!

Yeah, no words of encouragement from a Cavs fan will be well received for many weeks. He knows it damn well.

[LyricalRico]

We don't want your pity, Cavs fans. We just want you to get swept by Boston.

[Wizardspride]

Hey guys.. I tried waiting a bit hoping things would cool down and I wouldnt be viewed as a troll.

I know some of us have "gotten in to it" in various threads throughout realgm, but I just wanted to come in and offer some encouragement. I honestly think that your team is a lot closer to contention than many of you think. Obviously I think some changes need to be made, but you guys definately have a strong core built and with a few minor tweaks (and not having to play us in the first round ) I think you guys could put a strong run together.

Unfortunately for you guys, you have had to matchup with a team that just has your number, for 3 years now (2 that count). We as Cleveland fans definately know how that feels. We thought we had the best team in the league back in the BullvsCavs years, but we always got it handed to us by MJ. I know alternate scenarios dont go a long way in making you feel any better, but I just wanted to chime in to try to offer an outsiders view, from someone who has got a chance to watch quite a bit of your team now.

Good luck this offseason.. Hopefully the right decisions are made and you guys can make a strong push next year and be fully healthy come playoff time.

I'll probably still call Stevenson some names, as Im sure you will call LeBron plenty of names in the future, but I see no major beef with you all anymore. No hard feelings??

(until next years playoffs)

Thanks for the words of encouragement and
good luck next round.

[TheKingOfVa360]

We don't want your pity, Cavs fans. We just want you to get swept by Boston.

Boston sweep those inbreed Bastards!!!!!!!!!!

[WizBiz]

Actually, I dislike Boston more than the Cavs.

[dandridge 10]

I am disappointed that we lost tonight, but in a strange way I also feel relief that the season is over. Frankly, this team wasn't going anywhere and I'm tired of being played like a yo-yo. The Wiz always seem to do enough to get your hopes up and then they always bring you back down to earth with a bad loss.

We can bring in a new coach, but that ain't going to cure our biggest problem. Our biggest problem...and its the same problem we have had for years...is that we have no inside presence. When our jump shots aren't falling (like tonight), there is no one to throw the ball into the post to either get some easy shots or loosen up the defense. I love Jamison for what he does for this team, but unfortunately it ain't enough. Jamison is really just another talented perimeter player that happens to rebound pretty well, particularly on the offensive end. I would not call him an inside presence though, especially on the defensive end. Haywood made great strides this year, but he continues to be a poor rebounder and Blatche just plays too soft. I won't even mention Pech.

This team is not going to take it to the next level until it can find such a player, and I don't care how many coaches come in. I don't think we need to "blow this team up" to find such a player. However, I do believe that one of our big three has to go to to get one. I'd rather it be Jamison, but I would also be willing to trade Arenas depending on the big we can get in return. One thing is certain, if this team comes back as currently constructed, next year will be another one and done playoff series.

Anyway, I probably will not be posting as much over the offseason. I just need to get away for a while. I hope everyone has a good summer.

Haywood finished the season as # 2 in the league in offensive rebounds per 48 minutes. (5.9). He also averaged 12.4 rebounds per 48, to finish in the top-50.

However, during the playoffs he only averaged 10.3 rebounds per 48.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/brendan_h ... stats.html

Haywood's NOT the problem on the boards.

Jamison rebounded very well.

The Wizards points in the paint are a problem because Jamison's too small to finish above the rim in traffic. Flips, floaters, occasional and-ones are his strength. But he's really a jump shooter at the end of games.

I think the Wizards #1 problem is exceptionally poor perimeter defense.

#2 is poor ball movement and selfish play.

CCJ, Haywood is a decent offensive rebounder but I think the numbers show that he is a poor defensive rebounder, especially for his size.

I agree with you that our poor perimeter defense is a big problem and I have been saying that for the last several years. However, I think a large part of that problem is that we really only have one big that can play D, Haywood. It is because of our lack of size and the fact that Jamison is a horrible defender that E.J. feels the need to collapse so much in the paint.

Now, at the beginning of the season, I thought Blatche might fit our need for size in the frontcourt. However, he needs to seriously toughen up, add some balk, and show some more consistent energy before I am even close to saying he is our answer.

I still believe that both our defensive and offensive woes will not be solved until we can find another big than can pair with Haywood to provide not only an inside presence on offense, but can rebound and stop opposing PFs on defense. Until that happens, we will be a playoff team but not a contender.

[fishercob]

Historic bust:

[dobrojim]

[snip]

I think the Wizards #1 problem is exceptionally poor perimeter defense.

been busy this weekend so apologies for the tardiness of
the comments....

I think the above is it in a nutshell.

We got beat in the deciding game of a playoff series by
Wally and Boobie. We allowed them to do the one thing
they are competent in doing, shooting 3s. Sure having
LaBron to guard makes it easier for them to get open looks.
But too often it appeared to me that the defender on either
of those 2 guys accomplished nothing by not staying in their
jerseys.

After a very respectable season, Mason had a terrible game.

When Wally and Boobie significantly out-produce TJ and Mason,
CLE is going to beat us (without Gil) 95 times out of 100.

Maybe EJ could've played N1 and DMac some, but realistically,
the likelihood of those guys turning around game 6 for us is
essentially nil. Next year or the year after, maybe. Not this year,
not as rookies

After really beginning to think that Mason would be a great
player to keep around, now I'm thinking that by next year, N1
will be the better player and still on a rookie contract. Love to
keep Roger around longer but chances are he won't be affordable.

[dobrojim]

You really don't think we take this series, with this team and a healthy -16 months ago - Gil? I don't think it's close, I really don't.

Yea, we need a beast of a PF but I don't know how to get him other than get lucky. I don't think thrying to move Gil to do it is the answer, and I'm convinced you're going to get pennies on the dollar for him these days.

I agree completely.

the difference Gil can make is getting the other team in foul trouble.
Do that and the whole complexion of the game changes. Sideshow
Bob was horrible the whole series. Fewer minutes of Z and Smith
(who was a difference maker for CLE as well) and who knows.

unloading Gil now is very likely selling low