GT #74: Bulls @ Wizards 7 PM CSN

[FAH1223]

"That's kind of what we've talked the last three weeks. There's different ways to keep motivation. I want these guys to think that this is still a playoff race," [Randy] Wittman said as the Wizards prepare to host the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday at Verizon Center. "I think if we could to that, it would be a hell of an accomplishment for these guys, to be 4-28 with all the injuries we had to miss the playoffs by one spot."

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/4/2/ ... -9th-place

The team is shooting for 9th place. So Wizards.

[nate33]

It's a little pathetic, but at the same time, I get what Wittman is trying to do. You gotta motivate your team somehow. And he is right that finishing in 9th place with, say, a 33-49 record would be a pretty impressive accomplishment after a 4-28 start. That's a 29-21 record of the last 50 games. That's going from a 10-win pace to a 47-win pace.

[sfam]

Its a lot pathetic. I hope Wittman fails. I wish we would spend the rest of the time giving Vesely, Singleton and Seraphin big minutes and resting Nene.

[fishercob]

Nene's been resting for the last two weeks. Vesely and Seraphin have seen more time.

Nivek is right; the goal is not pathetic, but going public with it is tone deaf and stupid.

[Nivek]

I think the Wizards need to go 7-2 over their final 9 games to get 9th.

[Halcyon]

I just want Wall and Beal to finish strong. Nothing else matters.

[Ruzious]

So the Wiz players weren't joking when they said they're going after the 9th seed. Uggg. Maybe they should sell 9th seed t-shirts. Raise a 9th place banner if they make it. Eastern Conference 9th Seed Champions! Give all the players participation certificates.

[GhostsOfGil]

Mike Lee reporting that Nene will play tonight. I hope Wit starts: Wall Beal Web Nene and Oak.

This is our full strength starting lineup that has only played 16 games together. In those 16 games, the Wiz are 13 and 3.

[Rafael122]

Sounds like the Bulls could be without Noah, winnable game vs. the Bulls?

[FAH1223]

Sounds like the Bulls could be without Noah, winnable game vs. the Bulls?

It looks like he'll be out. Belinelli is also going to be out it seems.

The Derrick Rose stuff has gone quiet. Almost too quiet.

[AFM]

Wiz actually favored by 2 pts tonight.

[nuposse04]

Seeing as how our draft stock is already destroyed, I'm not surprised that they are using the 9th spot as a "motivational tool." It does come off as kind of pathetic, but we brought this upon ourselves by playing bad against bad competition. You can only hope they learn from that for next season.

Makes me kind of wish the 8th spot was determined by a play-in game. I don't think we'd beat Miami, but I'm sure we'd make for better basketball than the bucks.

[sfam]

Seeing as how our draft stock is already destroyed, I'm not surprised that they are using the 9th spot as a "motivational tool." It does come off as kind of pathetic, but we brought this upon ourselves by playing bad against bad competition. You can only hope they learn from that for next season.

Makes me kind of wish the 8th spot was determined by a play-in game. I don't think we'd beat Miami, but I'm sure we'd make for better basketball than the bucks.

I'm actually OK not getting trashed by Lebron again. I want us versing the Heat in the second round, where perhaps one of the big 3 are injured.

[pineappleheadindc]

I don't know guys. But doesn't the "going for 9th place" effort have a similar feel to the Wizards blowing off fireworks over any routine win at the Verizon Center?

ALSO: Does anyone want photos of Luv-a-Bulls added to this thread?

[dobrojim]

We should be favored, We beat them last time at Phone Booth and
we are tough at home. If Nene plays, all the more reason.

celebrating finishing 9th seems dumb, OTOH, after starting 4-28,
that's an accomplishment.

The 'what if's' I tend to look at are
1. what MLee pointed out, that if they won half of the 14 games they
lost against CHA, CLE, ORL, SAC and DET, they'd have the fear of god in
MIL's mind right now. So clearly they have no one but themselves to blame
for their predicament.

2. If Wall had come back when originally projected, early to mid-DEC.
Doesn't seem far fetched to suggest we'd have 5-10 more wins and be
getting excited, well some of us, about playoffs.

PS - I have a pair of extra seats for tonight will let go relatively cheap.

[miller31time]

I don't know guys. But doesn't the "going for 9th place" effort have a similar feel to the Wizards blowing off fireworks over any routine win at the Verizon Center?

It brings me back to the playoff cake disaster.

ALSO: Does anyone want photos of Luv-a-Bulls added to this thread?

"Photos" isn't the correct word. "Mugshots" is more appropriate.

[pineappleheadindc]

.
Okay. Miller is INSISTING that we all enjoy past photos of the Luv-a-Bulls. Thanks Miller!

[dobrojim]

wasn't there one named Edna who someone placed a caption by
that said, She's a man, baby!

[miller31time]

wasn't there one named Edna who someone placed a caption by
that said, She's a man, baby!

You're thinking of "Evadney" who Pine was kind enough to put 2nd in his Luv-a-Bull rotation of horror.

[miller31time]

I am a little creeped out because Pine obviously has these saved on his computer.