GT#47: Portland Trailblazers @ Washington Wizards 2/3 7:00PM

[dckingsfan]

Other than the short period of time when Temple was struggling to get us into our offensive sets, it was a very complete game, IMO.

That wasn't Temple. They were letting Beal run the offense in the 2nd.

I think that is what you are thinking of

Nope, there was a short period of time where he was running the offense and had a TOs on back to back possessions... Witt quickly took them out of that.

[Jimmy Recard]

Love the way Randy has them playing defense lately

[dckingsfan]

Love the way Randy has them playing defense lately

Agreed, and the schemes have been very clever... but you can't have good D if you don't have players that can play D and are willing to play D. I don't know what Randy said to Wall, but he has really picked up his D over the last 4 or 5 games. And when both he and Ariza are playing good D, everyone else just has to play ok D.

[hands11]

Celtics fan here, had to stop in and give a congrats. Can't believe it is the first time in Wall's tenure. I remember celebrating the 42nd win in the 08 season with my brother because it guaranteed we were over. 500.

Hope they play a little free and easier now. Wall deserves to be in a good team.

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Classy move.

How about that Wiz fans. Guests stopping in to give props.

[hands11]

Love the way Randy has them playing defense lately

Agreed, and the schemes have been very clever... but you can't have good D if you don't have players that can play D and are willing to play D. I don't know what Randy said to Wall, but he has really picked up his D over the last 4 or 5 games. And when both he and Ariza are playing good D, everyone else just has to play ok D.

Agreed. Those two can be pretty disruptive.

and how about Nene with another pick for a break away. That doesn't hurt either. That kind of play can get a lot out of the other team. I mean if Nene is going to be picking you off like that, you have to look where you are passing.

[Jay81]

Randy Whittman is not going anywhere it seems. Still think we dont extend Ernie

[noworriesinmd]

Great job by the Wiz!
The last few wins have showed this team is on the upswing.
The team could be in a better position talent/cap-wize, but I have to give EG a little credit.

Not sure how many ppl were at the game, but ppl were chanting defense most of the 3rd and 4th quarters.
Felt good seeing Wall happy, you can tell going +.500 meant a lot to him.
They won't lose or won them all, but you have to respect their wins against QUALITY teams.

[dckingsfan]

Love the way Randy has them playing defense lately

Agreed, and the schemes have been very clever... but you can't have good D if you don't have players that can play D and are willing to play D. I don't know what Randy said to Wall, but he has really picked up his D over the last 4 or 5 games. And when both he and Ariza are playing good D, everyone else just has to play ok D.

Agreed. Those two can be pretty disruptive.

and how about Nene with another pick for a break away. That doesn't hurt either. That kind of play can get a lot out of the other team. I mean if Nene is going to be picking you off like that, you have to look where you are passing.

Agreed... then all the passing lanes look dangerous and the ball doesn't move very freely. I though Beal and Webster did a good job of closing down on the 3 point shooters as well. And Temple took the ball away a few times as well. I think they can definitely play with anyone 3-8 in the east in the playoffs if they can bring that kind of intensity. And of all the teams in the East I think that the Wiz have the best shot to at least slow down Lebron and George.

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

Great job by the Wiz!
The last few wins have showed this team is on the upswing.
The team could be in a better position talent/cap-wize, but I have to give EG a little credit.

Not sure how many ppl were at the game, but ppl were chanting defense most of the 3rd and 4th quarters.
Felt good seeing Wall happy, you can tell going +.500 meant a lot to him.
They won't lose or won them all, but you have to respect their wins against QUALITY teams.

I think we've seen the last of terrible losses against subpar teams...

[stevemcqueen1]

Trying to play it cool like this



When really I'm feeling like this



It's been a long five years.

[80sballboy]

Glad so see Kevin get big minutes tonight. I know it was because Booker was out, but he does not deserve these type of minutes since Jan. 11:

23, 9, 29, 0, 13, 7, 23, 0, 0, 1, 0, 23.

Since Jan. 11, Seraphin has shot 33 of 52. That's 63.4%. Sure, he can rebound more and his defense while improved, still needs work. But it's about confidence and becoming more aggressive. He doesn't need to settle for 17 footers and he's starting to realize that. He can shoot with either hand from 5 feet so getting him in the post is where he should be. He has Nene's big body with an even better scoring tough albeit a lack of passing skills. The only way he gets better is by playing 15-20mpg. Booker has a role of a hustler and should play about 10mpg. Gortat has been playing too many minutes lately. Should be around 30mpg.

[80sballboy]

Randy Whittman is not going anywhere it seems. Still think we dont extend Ernie

Can't you just celebrate the win instead of being Debbie Downer all the time? Who cares about either one right now?

[dckingsfan]

Glad so see Kevin get big minutes tonight. I know it was because Booker was out, but he does not deserve these type of minutes since Jan. 11:

23, 9, 29, 0, 13, 7, 23, 0, 0, 1, 0, 23.

Since Jan. 11, Seraphin has shot 33 of 52. That's 63.4%. Sure, he can rebound more and his defense while improved, still needs work. But it's about confidence and becoming more aggressive. He doesn't need to settle for 17 footers and he's starting to realize that. He can shoot with either hand from 5 feet so getting him in the post is where he should be. He has Nene's big body with an even better scoring tough albeit a lack of passing skills. The only way he gets better is by playing 15-20mpg. Booker has a role of a hustler and should play about 10mpg. Gortat has been playing too many minutes lately. Should be around 30mpg.

Gortat, 33.4 mpg in his last 5 games... Booker 20 mpg in his last 5, Nene 30.5 mpg in his last 5 games... seems like Randy's got the rotations down... but Seraphin is trying to make it hard for Randy

[hands11]

Agreed, and the schemes have been very clever... but you can't have good D if you don't have players that can play D and are willing to play D. I don't know what Randy said to Wall, but he has really picked up his D over the last 4 or 5 games. And when both he and Ariza are playing good D, everyone else just has to play ok D.

Agreed. Those two can be pretty disruptive.

and how about Nene with another pick for a break away. That doesn't hurt either. That kind of play can get a lot out of the other team. I mean if Nene is going to be picking you off like that, you have to look where you are passing.

Agreed... then all the passing lanes look dangerous and the ball doesn't move very freely. I though Beal and Webster did a good job of closing down on the 3 point shooters as well. And Temple took the ball away a few times as well. I think they can definitely play with anyone 3-8 in the east in the playoffs if they can bring that kind of intensity. And of all the teams in the East I think that the Wiz have the best shot to at least slow down Lebron and George.

I posted earlier in this thread, all things being equal, defense wins. Its why Seattle kicked Denver's butts.

Portland was the better offensive team. LMA has a Melo fast release and he is taller. And as someone mentioned, if he shot 3s, he would be Dirk dangerous. I see now reason he can extend his range. At 28 he is running out of time. He needs to get busy on that. He could be a top stud in the league if he can do it. He is so close.

But the Wizards are the better defensive team and that won them the game.

The offense has been looking better in half court the last two games. If they can keep improving that and bring a top defensive level, they might actually win a playoff series. Could you imaging them playing defense like you know they can for an entire game at a playoff level. They could be very hard to deal with if they did that.

They are still a little short handed on offense. They are missing at a min a Iggy, Manu level SF who has handles. TA is trying. He is driving more. But as good as he is at D and spot ups, he is just a level lower what needed regarding handles and drives.

The team is making good progress. And they still have players that are largely untapped as well. AH could help in spot duty. Let hope his defense improves when he returns. We need to see Randy manage Kevin S, Booker and Ves. Not just one of them. We still haven't gotten anything from Otto. Glen can be used for his defense if needed as well. And we still might be able to clear 2 spots if we can dump Maynor and Singleton.

Point I am trying to make is.. this isn't as good as they can be. They are still building their games and they have a lot of room to grow. Players and coaching. I would say they are at about 65% capacity. They still have a lot of upside if things break the right way regarding those other players and Randy coaching.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Kevin playing with an absurd amount of confidence right now. Amazing what confidence can do for you.

I didn't get to see this win.

I think Kevin Seraphin has known Batum a good while, and they're friends as well as former teammates on the French national team.

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[hands11]

Glad so see Kevin get big minutes tonight. I know it was because Booker was out, but he does not deserve these type of minutes since Jan. 11:

23, 9, 29, 0, 13, 7, 23, 0, 0, 1, 0, 23.

Since Jan. 11, Seraphin has shot 33 of 52. That's 63.4%. Sure, he can rebound more and his defense while improved, still needs work. But it's about confidence and becoming more aggressive. He doesn't need to settle for 17 footers and he's starting to realize that. He can shoot with either hand from 5 feet so getting him in the post is where he should be. He has Nene's big body with an even better scoring tough albeit a lack of passing skills. The only way he gets better is by playing 15-20mpg. Booker has a role of a hustler and should play about 10mpg. Gortat has been playing too many minutes lately. Should be around 30mpg.

Gortat, 33.4 mpg in his last 5 games... Booker 20 mpg in his last 5, Nene 30.5 mpg in his last 5 games... seems like Randy's got the rotations down... but Seraphin is trying to make it hard for Randy

I hope not. I hope the goal is to keep winning but also find minutes to grow players to get the core players minutes down. You want them fresh come playoffs.

There isn't a lot of time left to get them rest. After the AS break, team pick it up to another gear and benches start to shorten. We got there a little early.

Only 5 more games to go before AS weekend.

[Mickstix]

A+ effort and win!! Now, where's that punk troll poster from Toronto??
Way to go Wiz!!

[TheKingOfVa360]

Kevin S has been on a tear lately. Great win!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I actually feel like we're getting home town calls...weird

When Wall played like a superstar last March, his FT attempt count soared. Literall, 4 or 5 more a game. He started getting star calls.

Now that he's an all star, and Washington is getting deserved credit from Lebron, Durant, Doc Rivers etc. as a tough team; expect to get a ton of calls from now on.

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[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I'm getting on the Millellellie Vanilli bandwagon.