Proud of our boys (end of season standing "O")

[fishercob]

I'm happy for the standing O. Yes, the team was lousy at home and it's justifiable for fans to be a bit salty about it, but the standing O wasn't for the performance of Game 6 alone, it was for the entire season, or at least for the entirety of their playoff run. Overall, I think the Wizards have earned a standing ovation for their playoff performance.

Yes. And it wasn't just an acknowledgement of output -- winning a certain number of games or whatever. It was an expression of connection between the team and the fans and an appreciation for how the guys handled themselves. I was extremely disappointed by the game and the loss, and I stood and cheered as the final seconds ticked down.

[Severn Hoos]

The best way I can express my happiness about this team is that there is not one thread on the main page here about the Combine or the Lottery, even though they are happening right now and next week. I think. To be honest, I don't even know. And that's amazing, coming from a true draft junkie.

As much as I love the draft, I am happier to be talking about a team that's being talked about. The specifics of what they do this summer can wait. For now I am happy to have seen a meaningful season provided by players that seem to be genuinely good guys who get along and represent the city well. (And the same goes for my other team, the real Cavaliers, unlike those frauds in Cleveland.)

Well done, gents!

[mohammed10]

I have been a Wizards fan since birth. Followed this team from the championship squad thru many, many lean years since. False hopes and sputters of futility have made many of us enter the witness protection program. But to be honest, I have more hope for this Bullets squad than any I've seen since Webber and Howard.

I never bought into the Gil-led Bullets, if, for no other reason, than I don’t believe in score first point guards and I think defense is something you should actually take a half minute to worry about. This is, easily, the best Bullets squad I’ve seen in my adult life. And I’m not young. Re-sign Gortat and make sure we surround Wall & Beal with solid, quality vets again.

Given all playoff evidence, I am all for re-signing Ariza and trading Webby and, I think, if the right deal comes along, Otto as well.

We have to bring back Gortat, though (which, honestly, I didn’t think would be the case when they made the trade).

I am sure there will be other threads about 'what would you do?' but I am hopeful for our immediate future for the first time in a long, long, time.

[Induveca]

I've grown up a Wizards/Bullets fan, but I was too young to truly understand (let alone enjoy) our team's success in the '70s.

I remember watching games and hearing the announcer yell "Big E" before I even realized who Elvin Hayes was.

I remember wondering why that white-haired old man (Tom McMillen) was playing with all those youngsters.

I remember Dan Roundfield's multi-layered knee brace and elbow braces. I remember identifying with Jeff Malone's widow's peak.

My dad used to take me to the Bullets' open practices at Ft. Meade. I saw John Williams before he bought a hot plate ("he's going to be a great player," my dad predicted), and Manute Bol up close.

I remember Steve Colter hanging on to that jheri curl about 5 years too long, then shifting to a high-top just as most other guys were starting to abandon them.

I remember meeting Muggsy Bogues at the Phil Chenier-Dave DuPree Baskeball Camp (which was held at Howard Community College, across the street from my house).

I remember Tracey Murray going off. I remember Darrell Walker's crab dribble (and his penchant for fighting).

When I was in college, my dad used to mail me the Washington Post sports section, and I felt a glimmer of hope when Webber and Howard joined the team. I remember Rod Strickland's uncanny ability to penetrate and finish at the rim.

I've been underwhelmed countless times. By Cheaney. Jarvis. Jeffries. Courtney "Hitch" Alexander.

I used to get laughed at for rooting for the Bullets when I was in high school -- despite the fact that I went to school in Takoma Park.

I've rooted for chubby 5s (Feitl, Duckworth), chubby 4s (Hot Plate), and chubby guards (Eackles). I've rooted for bony bigs (Pervis, Bol), bony swingmen (Porter), and bony guards (Dixon). I've rooted for over-the-hill stars (Moses, Bernard), unathletic-but-skilled guys (Alerie), and athletic-but-unskilled guys (Ben Wallace).

And, as many flaws as this team has, this year's edition is the most successful team in my experience as a fan. For all intents and purposes, this is my first experience rooting for a nationally relevant team.

I've even seen some of the guys who used to laugh at me for being a Bullets fan jump on the bandwagon on Facebook.

I'm sad the season's over, but I'm proud of the team. Go Wizards.

I figured this didn't belong in the "Woo! Wizards win" thread, so here's a place, separate from the game threads, to give a little tip of the cap to this year's squad before moving on to offseason speculation.

Well said, and appreciated

[sfam]

Maybe I'm a grouch, but I wasn't a fan of the standing O. Even Jalen Rose mentioned it in the ESPN post game, look at the franchise expectations, we cheer a double digit loss at home to end the postseason 1-4 at home while Indy was simply relived to have survived to their goal of getting back to the EC to face Miami.

Maybe because I felt it was a missed opportunity. Indy had self-imploded many times over throughout the last few weeks. They were basically begging to be put out of their misery but we blew chance after chance this series.

It was a total missed opportunity, but I don't see what that has to do with the standing O. Clearly the moment was too big for the Wizards last night. But effort was there, and I'm sure if the Wizards could have done better last night, they would have. The Standing O was for the first enjoyable BBall watching season in forever. If you don't give them a standing O after this season, when would you?

[DCZards]

I was glad I stuck around to be there and participate in the standing O and the "Let's Go Wizards" chant at the end last night. I appreciate that our team played hard all season, and even came back from a big deficit in the second half last night instead of folding. Plus they're a classy group of guys who play unselfish team ball and appear to enjoy and respect each other.

No shame in showing a little love for those things...despite the outcome of last night's game.

[WallToWall]

Go Wizards! Cant wait for next year. They did have a good run in the playoffs.