GT #81: Wizards (46-34) @ Pacers (37-43) 8 PM (TNT/99.1 FM) [4/14/15]

[Dat2U]

Regarding the idea that Wall didn't touch a basketball for 8 days, I don't think the TNT meant that literally. If so, I think they're probably wrong about that. I seriously doubt that Wall went that many days without either dribbling or shooting a basketball.

Problem is they repeated it a couple of times and even went into Witt's thinking regarding it. Maybe it isn't true but they said it enough to make me believe it is.

[TheSecretWeapon]

Playing those guys big minutes in a meaningless game right before the playoffs makes complete sense coming from the group that was "all-in" for 9th in the East a couple years back.

[TGW]

It really doesn't matter what the outcome is--Turd is bringing back Checkers and Wittless. That's his MO...he holds onto front office personnel/coaches until the backlash is so bad, that he has no choice but to fire them (i.e. McPhee). He can also sell the second straight year in playoffs thing.

Might as well root for the players, and hope they get as far as possible.

I'm with you, TGW. EG and Witt need to go but I'm not about to root for the team to lose. You have to at least root for the players. Can't blame them for the lousy FO and coaching.

I really don't understand why any "fan" would root for their team to lose...regardless of the circumstances. But maybe that's just me.

I agree...the players didn't pick themselves. I'd like to see Pierce win another one as well.

PS Welcome to the DARKSIDE

[Kanyewest]

Playing those guys big minutes in a meaningless game right before the playoffs makes complete sense coming from the group that was "all-in" for 9th in the East a couple years back.

This seems like it was essentially a practice game. I have the feeling that Wall wouldn't have been too happy to be taken out of the game by Wittman, the primary reason why Wittman is still the head coach is that guys like Wall still support him. I have to imagine that Ted/Ernie would have to make that call before the game. Still, I wonder how much the Wizards playing on national TV influenced to play key guys late in the game. Either way, I'm skeptical that it will cost them.

I'm more upset about the screen and roll or hold the ball until the last second offense which seems to be the Wizards offense. The Wizards need more guys to be able to create their offense and hopefully guys like Nene/Pierce who rested should be good to go in the playoffs.

[LyricalRico]

Playing those guys big minutes in a meaningless game right before the playoffs makes complete sense coming from the group that was "all-in" for 9th in the East a couple years back.

Yeah, curious - especially after they sat guys against Brooklyn when they still had a chance at homecourt. Why concede homecourt just to grind it out two games later when you aren't playing for anything?

Even with Wittman tries to do the right thing and rest guys, he's still off-beat.

[hands11]

But after I appreciated that Beal got a chance to be a closer. Now we know not to do that again though.

What do you mean "now we know not to do that again." You said yourself you were screaming at the T.V when this play was unfolding. I was screaming at my T.V. I'm pretty sure we all were screaming at the T.V. Are you saying this is some new revelation? That we now know that Beal should not be initiating the offense? That he's a poor ball handler? Awesome, I'm glad Wittman figured that out last night.

Just a figure of speech..

Yeah..Im sure lots of Wizards fans know running Wall to stand in the corner was stupid...

"Now we know" was about Randy.

[hands11]

Beal has hit a few game winners (plus some big shots against the Bulls in last year's postseason)- so theoretically he had a chance.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLz4WjRi_YU[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq71Aj74BDo[/youtube]

The one against OKC counts... BUT NYK ?

IND was playing good defense all night. I was hard enough to Wall to get open. You think Beal was a better idea ?

[hands11]

What do you mean "now we know not to do that again." You said yourself you were screaming at the T.V when this play was unfolding. I was screaming at my T.V. I'm pretty sure we all were screaming at the T.V. Are you saying this is some new revelation? That we now know that Beal should not be initiating the offense? That he's a poor ball handler? Awesome, I'm glad Wittman figured that out last night.

Randy had to try Beal as a closer, he is out of options.

I don't think Randy is out of options...he's out of ideas. He has to know by now the problem is his play calling in those situations. There are better ideas than having Wall (or Beal) pound the ball until there's 4-5 seconds left on the clock and then having them try to go one-on-one, which more often than not has ended up in a long jumper by Wall.

Out of ideas... that being generous. That would imply more then one idea.

More like out of idea.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

But after I appreciated that Beal got a chance to be a closer. Now we know not to do that again though.

What do you mean "now we know not to do that again." You said yourself you were screaming at the T.V when this play was unfolding. I was screaming at my T.V. I'm pretty sure we all were screaming at the T.V. Are you saying this is some new revelation? That we now know that Beal should not be initiating the offense? That he's a poor ball handler? Awesome, I'm glad Wittman figured that out last night.

Randy had to try Beal as a closer, he is out of options.

I thought let Sessions run the play, and have both Wall and Beal playing off the ball.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

What do you mean "now we know not to do that again." You said yourself you were screaming at the T.V when this play was unfolding. I was screaming at my T.V. I'm pretty sure we all were screaming at the T.V. Are you saying this is some new revelation? That we now know that Beal should not be initiating the offense? That he's a poor ball handler? Awesome, I'm glad Wittman figured that out last night.

Randy had to try Beal as a closer, he is out of options.

I don't think Randy is out of options...he's out of ideas. He has to know by now the problem is his play calling in those situations. There are better ideas than having Wall (or Beal) pound the ball until there's 4-5 seconds left on the clock and then having them try to go one-on-one, which more often than not has ended up in a long jumper by Wall.

I agree,100%.

I won't root for them to lose, but I am ready to see a coach with new and, hopefully, better offensive ideas than Randy Wittman has been settling on.

[queridiculo]

Playing those guys big minutes in a meaningless game right before the playoffs makes complete sense coming from the group that was "all-in" for 9th in the East a couple years back.

What I found even more embarrassing was how Wittman justified the heavy minutes while throwing them under the bus at the same time.

[Kanyewest]

Looks like the Wizards did enough to eliminate the Pacers who ended losing tonight. Even if they didn't win, the Wizards taking the Pacers to double OT probably made it an even tougher matchup against the Grizzlies.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Rachel__Nichols/status/588030571663745024[/tweet]

[Kanyewest]

Beal has hit a few game winners (plus some big shots against the Bulls in last year's postseason)- so theoretically he had a chance.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLz4WjRi_YU[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq71Aj74BDo[/youtube]

The one against OKC counts... BUT NYK ?

IND was playing good defense all night. I was hard enough to Wall to get open. You think Beal was a better idea ?

The Knicks game is relevant since it happened more recently and the Knicks were significantly better (although not playoff caliber) back then especially with Tyson Chandler and a healthier Melo. I think it could have worked out for Beal against the Pacers- yes he ultimately turned it over but so did Wall 5 times. Beal in the meantime turned it over only once- sure it happened later so it stands out more but let's not act like the Wall pick and roll was working all that well considering the Wizards couldn't score at the end of regulation because Wall missed two shots.