GT #16: LA Lakers @ Wizards 7 PM (CSN/99.1 FM) [12/2/15]

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Was Kobe ever the best player on a team that won a ring?

Not according to win shares (Pau 2x, Shaq 3x). Alltime great sidekick.

Going to the Bulls was a great move for Pau Gasol. I don't think he ever got the credit he deserved for his contribution to the Lakers' two championships. Once he became an eastern conference all star Pau got good publicity. He got out from underneath Kobe's shadow.

[Ruzious]

Would be a perfect #soWizards moment for the Wizards to drop this game to the awful Lakers with Kobe going for 50+ and Nick Young dropping 30.

Omg, could that happen in real life? We'd feel like the Browns after they got their kick blocked and returned for a TD to lose to the Ravens - doubled.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Would be a perfect #soWizards moment for the Wizards to drop this game to the awful Lakers with Kobe going for 50+ and Nick Young dropping 30.

This team is very unpredictable.

At the very least I expect a close game. A big win would surprise me more than a close loss.

A big loss like they suffered twice to Boston would surprise but anything is possible with this Wizards team.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Would be a perfect #soWizards moment for the Wizards to drop this game to the awful Lakers with Kobe going for 50+ and Nick Young dropping 30.

Omg, could that happen in real life? We'd feel like the Browns after they got their kick blocked and returned for a TD to lose to the Ravens - doubled.

Their last matchup IIRC Kobe got whatever shot he wanted against Bradley Beal. After one jab step he hit fadeaway shots with ease and he even to me looked quicker than Beal.

This year's Kobe might not be as quick but I expect Bryant will have one of his better games just based on the last matchup.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

By now I hope you guys see my pattern. Post worst case and stuff you hope guys on the team hear about.

Helps some people prepare.

[montestewart]

Would be a perfect #soWizards moment for the Wizards to drop this game to the awful Lakers with Kobe going for 50+ and Nick Young dropping 30.

This team is very unpredictable.

At the very least I expect a close game. A big win would surprise me more than a close loss.

A big loss like they suffered twice to Boston would surprise but anything is possible with this Wizards team.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll scream out, "WHY?" then jump in an oven and fry. A good time will be had by all. Come on out and see these unpredictable, irrepressible Wizards, cause son-of-a-gun it's a lot of fun!

[pineappleheadindc]

At the risk of being booed off of this message board, I kinda hope the Wizards so something for Kobe -- a video tribute between quarters or something.

I like organizations that demonstrate class.

[TheSecretWeapon]

At the risk of being booed off of this message board, I kinda hope the Wizards so something for Kobe -- a video tribute between quarters or something.

I like organizations that demonstrate class.

I hear ya, but I'd rather they straight troll him. Talk about his retirement. Direct attention to the video screen. Bring up the sappy music, and then...a 90-second video that's a collection of him bricking shots, committing turnovers, yelling at teammates, running away from a fight, etc.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

At the risk of being booed off of this message board, I kinda hope the Wizards so something for Kobe -- a video tribute between quarters or something.

I like organizations that demonstrate class.

How classy was Abe to Michael Jordan at the end of their business relationship?

How did Ernie Grunfeld thank Gilbert Arenas for the memories during Gun Gate?

How do McGee, Blatche, Vesely, and Nick Young regard their Wizards years?

How does Andre Miller feel about his time as a Wizard?

Who can you name that is no longer a Wizard that will speak of how classy Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld are? Not how much they enjoyed their years in and around DC. Not how they appreciate their opportunity. Who thinks the Wizards are classy?

[pineappleheadindc]

At the risk of being booed off of this message board, I kinda hope the Wizards so something for Kobe -- a video tribute between quarters or something.

I like organizations that demonstrate class.

How classy was Abe to Michael Jordan at the end of their business relationship?

How did Ernie Grunfeld thank Gilbert Arenas for the memories during Gun Gate?

How do McGee, Blatche, Vesely, and Nick Young regard their Wizards years?

How does Andre Miller feel about his time as a Wizard?

Who can you name that is no longer a Wizard that will speak of how classy Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld are?

I hear you CCJ. Of course you are correct here.

Sigh...perhaps I need to own or GM this team. I'd do the Kobe video. But I also woulda honored my word to MJ, never been the organizational snitch on Gilbert.

I actually don't care about Javale, Baltche, Vesely and Swaggy P. Ditto Andre Miller. Those were straight out basketball decisions IMO.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I don't mean to sound bitter but I think Bob Ferry was a successful GM. Abe was great in the 70s. Once Wes retired and moved upstairs things stalled out.

To me, Leonsis is fixed, conservative, not flamboyant or inspirational. I would love Mark Cuban as owner. He's interesting and controversial and dynamic. He takes care of the people around him. He doesn't behind the scenes take a hard line in negotiations against players.

The Mavericks will reload and rebuild another championship before this stagnant group will win their first--and that's even using guys like McGee.

The Wizards routinely kick folks to the curb. Every draft they manage to snatch mediocrity or impracticality when stud players are staring them in the face. (If you can't see Portis was the better pick at this time then you must be a Grunfeld protege.)

EDITED -- Oubre has potential but this roster and this coach aren't going to yield his best before a couple years, if ever, barring several injuries to other SFs).

Sorry if that's too depressing.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

At the risk of being booed off of this message board, I kinda hope the Wizards so something for Kobe -- a video tribute between quarters or something.

I like organizations that demonstrate class.

How classy was Abe to Michael Jordan at the end of their business relationship?

How did Ernie Grunfeld thank Gilbert Arenas for the memories during Gun Gate?

How do McGee, Blatche, Vesely, and Nick Young regard their Wizards years?

How does Andre Miller feel about his time as a Wizard?

Who can you name that is no longer a Wizard that will speak of how classy Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld are?

I hear you CCJ. Of course you are correct here.

Sigh...perhaps I need to own or GM this team. I'd do the Kobe video. But I also woulda honored my word to MJ, never been the organizational snitch on Gilbert.

I actually don't care about Javale, Baltche, Vesely and Swaggy P. Ditto Andre Miller. Those were straight out basketball decisions IMO.

Pine, twenty years in the NBA means Kobe definitely deserves the adulation I'm sure he will get. He's among the best ever. He put a ton of great work in. The accolades have each been earned on the court.

Dobrojim, I also respect your disdain for the man.

[montestewart]

At the risk of being booed off of this message board, I kinda hope the Wizards so something for Kobe -- a video tribute between quarters or something.

I like organizations that demonstrate class.

I hear ya, but I'd rather they straight troll him. Talk about his retirement. Direct attention to the video screen. Bring up the sappy music, and then…a 90-second video that's a collection of him bricking shots, committing turnovers, yelling at teammates, running away from a fight, etc.

I hope he goes 0-19 and 1-4 at the line. I especially hope that in the post game he feebly emphasizes his two assists and says something about the "team game."

To CCJ, I do recall Caron Butler and just this week Martell Webster saying positive things about their times in DC, but you're right, these do seem exceptions.Leonsis is the man who straight up lied about the fate of the Bullets' Walter A. Brown trophy. Not a class act.

[nuposse04]

This will probably be like a road game. Sigh...

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I actually don't care about Javale, Baltche, Vesely and Swaggy P. Ditto Andre Miller. Those were straight out basketball decisions IMO.

This comment was so interesting and thought provoking that I actually had to compose my thoughts, rather than shoot from the hip. Thanks, pine!

Javale I was wrong about. EG trading him for Nene turned out to be a great move. Nene has given the Wizards far more healthy games at a higher level than I anticipated at the time of the trade. Nene's first season was very instrumental in turning the team culture around.

At the same time, another option was to simply let McGee go in free agency and to not acquire long term salary. Regardless, I'm not feeling sorry for McGee. His salary is pretty outrageous for his actual production.

Blatche is a while different story. Wrong player to amnesty and a wasted asset. I don't care how toxic things got they should have been smoothed over. He's exactly the kind of player this Wizards team could use at PF. The amnesty could have better been used later.

To me, personal and business shouldn't intersect too much. Find what motivates a person to produce. Sit down and mediate drama just like the Kings are doing with Karl, Rondo, and Cousins. Most of all do not evaluate potential assets over ego peeing contests. Hug it out or fight it out but do play on and do play well. Paying Blatche while he played well in NJ was downright stupidity IMO.

In the end he showed the Wizards up.

Vesely was drafted too high, never blended in with good veterans, and was a horrible failure. Thanks to EG for drafting the one guy we said do no draft. I think he'd be a good role player on this team. Better at stretch four just on the basis of his foot speed and defense than Humphries. He's so tall that on accident he finishes well. But, enough on him.

Nick is an average player who's where he belongs. Too bad he will never come close to realizing his physical potential. He's a tremendous three point shooter. He's crafted a great role in LA. He's better than Kobe right now. He might stick around a long time just on personality, but no, I don't miss his game. Not enough rebounds, assists, or free throws but always enough FGAs. He and Marco Bellinelli will always remind me of my biggest blunder to date, thinking Morris Almond was way better at draft time.

[Illmatic12]

This will probably be like a road game. Sigh...

Not just any road game. It will be like the goddamn Oracle in Oakland except with Lakers fans

[DANNYLANDOVER]

Are these guys **** serious right now? If they end up losing to the Lakers, someone better be getting fired or traded.

[nuposse04]

Otto has sucked something serious so far

[nuposse04]

If otto doesn't become average from 3 pt land he is going to make the half court offense difficult to execute. No reason kobe should be scoring on him either

[nuposse04]

Refs trying to do the Lakers a lot of favors, smh.