Playoffs? Ya Kiddin me? Wizards vs. Bulls Game 1 Thread

[pineappleheadindc]

The Bulls didn't get exposed. They are who we thought they were. The Wizards got nation wide exposure. The NBA world is finding out who the Wizards are.

And here is a newsflash for the world, though not champions this year, the Wizards play well and hold their own against Western Conference teams too.

I wonder what all those ESPN analysts are thinking about their predictions.

Good post.

I think many of those "analysts" who picked the Bulls were just engaged in lazy groupthink. To be honest:

1) The Wizards didn't play on TV a lot, so unless you're in the local area, you don't get to see them much.
2) The Bulls are a "brand".
3) The Wiz record sports some really nice wins this season, but is also really distorted by losses against lesser teams or in games which we held double-digit leads then just let the wheels fall off and lost.

I imagine that many of those "analysts" merely looked at the W-L record, thought "oh, the Wizards against the Bulls" as a measurement of brand, and annointed the Bulls as the winners.

Losing Rose and Deng in the same season is a blow that most teams would struggle with. It's just a testament to the Bulls style and culture that they so far have been able to withstand it. But, Bulls fans vehemently disagree with this but it's true -- the Wizards are more talented (in part because of the Bulls losing two key pieces). The "x" factor will be the Wizards' ability to maintain focus and make on-the-fly adjustments throughout the series.

Its easy to get catch up in group think. It happen here as well.

Using *DATA* -- actual statistics, facts, numbers, and analytics is the remedy to groupthink.

This board, for the most part, consists of members who use such data in order to inform their personal opinion.

[hands11]

Sonny Carson just gets a massive erection whenever Wall struggles. Must have made for an interesting 2.5 hours for him yesterday.

If thats your best reply....there is no need for me to have a serious discussion with you. good day.

And you consistantly trash Wall without context, you're a hater, plain and simple. Wall goes against the best D in basketball right now, that is specifically gearing their gameplan to shut down Wall and you get on Wall's case he has a mediocre game...well duh, his first game and against the best D in the east. Actually make a competent argument one of these days and people will take you seriously. You're a kyrie homer, through and through.

Look at Wall total line, I don't have an issue with his production. I wouldn't concede that was a mediocre game.

He didn't score efficiently but there is more to basketball then scoring. And he did get to the line 10 times.

If someone said, Wall had 10 FTA made 8, with 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 3 turnovers with 3 fouls in his first playoff again in CHI, I would say... sounds good to me.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

You can't compare Wall's performance to Liliard/Teague. Lilliard is playing one of the worst defensive teams in the league in Houston and Teague did it against a faltering team. The Bulls are a much, much better defensive team than either of those other teams.

"Games like last night wont be beat the Bulls"...ummm que? We just beat the Bulls with that very performance, so your statement makes zero sense.

My statement makes perfect sense. If someone said Wall would have 14 pts, 6 assists with under a minute to go in the game....would you have thought they'd been up easily in the playoffs? Absolutely not. Not against Thibs, not against these Bulls. Adjustments will be made for Gortat/Nene. So it will be upon Wall to play much better.

No matter how you cut it up. Kirk Hinrich went step for step with Wall. That CANT happen to win a SERIES against the Bulls. Sure one game it worked. But should we not expect much more from here on out? Andre Miller SAVED the Wizards last night. Jeff Teague went up against a Pacers team and gave them work. No matter the Pacers struggles offensively...their still a good defensive team as well.

The next game will be very telling. Was it a subpar game...or is he one of those guys who doesnt play as well...or take it up a notch in the playoffs.

Kirk played against Gilbert in the 2005 playoffs. He was present Wall's rookie season and as a Wizard with Gilbert. WALL was Kirk's rookie. Derrick Rose was Hinrich's rookie, too. The 2014 playoff game, Wall's first, played in Chicago, was no big deal for Kirk.

Cut John Wall some slack on game one.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[hands11]

We are the best team in the league IMO.

Sounds like I need to dust off the Kookaid thread or you should bump it.

I'm saving my post for if we win the next game.

I already laid some Bullet Fever seeds.. they might be sprouting by now.

[hands11]

No more excuses after what I saw from Lillard tonight. 31/9. Jeff Teague had like 26/7 the day before. Kyle Lowry put up some nice #s vs. the Nets.

At the end of the day....The team goes as far as Wall takes them. Tonight wasnt enough from him, but luckily Andre Miller saved the day. He's gotta step it up. Lillard played with a certain swagger/aggression that Wall simply lacked. I want to see him take over games and dominate. I believe he can do it.

Copy that

I see it just opposite. The Wizards veterans are showing collectively good abilities. They are winners who are going to get through the point that Wall and Beal do not need to force a thing.

Wall's not the deep shooter or clutch scorer that Lillard is. But he's s greater pure passer and faster in transition. Wall has confidence issues and at times a hitch in his shot. He's not a super sharp competitor like Lillard but John is all heart and soul.

I really like John Wall but I think it's time to stop seeing him as more than the player he is. He shouldn't be the only offensive focal point. I think he's the third or fourth scoring option against the Bulls. He needs to drive a lot but kick out.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using RealGM Forums mobile app

Agreed. More of a Rondo type at this stage but he can shoot better now. He can hit the 3. I think we will see some of that as well before this is over. But steady progress is the path.

It was a good game one for him. Got that experience out of the way and left with the sweet taste of Koo-laid in his mouth. A WIN.

[hands11]

Good post.

I think many of those "analysts" who picked the Bulls were just engaged in lazy groupthink. To be honest:

1) The Wizards didn't play on TV a lot, so unless you're in the local area, you don't get to see them much.
2) The Bulls are a "brand".
3) The Wiz record sports some really nice wins this season, but is also really distorted by losses against lesser teams or in games which we held double-digit leads then just let the wheels fall off and lost.

I imagine that many of those "analysts" merely looked at the W-L record, thought "oh, the Wizards against the Bulls" as a measurement of brand, and annointed the Bulls as the winners.

Losing Rose and Deng in the same season is a blow that most teams would struggle with. It's just a testament to the Bulls style and culture that they so far have been able to withstand it. But, Bulls fans vehemently disagree with this but it's true -- the Wizards are more talented (in part because of the Bulls losing two key pieces). The "x" factor will be the Wizards' ability to maintain focus and make on-the-fly adjustments throughout the series.

Its easy to get catch up in group think. It happen here as well.

Using *DATA* -- actual statistics, facts, numbers, and analytics is the remedy to groupthink.

This board, for the most part, consists of members who use such data in order to inform their personal opinion.

I don't believe that is true. Number can be used to support group think. Numbers need interpreted and numbers aren't perfect. Number need context. Some are better then others. And sometimes sample sizes are complete. As a general statement about them.

Numbers are only a tool. They are not truth in and of themselves.

[pineappleheadindc]

Its easy to get catch up in group think. It happen here as well.

Using *DATA* -- actual statistics, facts, numbers, and analytics is the remedy to groupthink.

This board, for the most part, consists of members who use such data in order to inform their personal opinion.

I don't believe that is true. Number can be used to support group think. Numbers need interpreted and numbers aren't perfect. Number need context. Some are better then others. And sometimes sample sizes are complete. As a general statement about them.

Numbers are only a tool. They are not truth in and of themselves.

Numbers > "If you don't support EG, you don't support the Wizards."

Period. End of story.

[AFM]

Where's Nivek? Did his copy of excel expire? Haven't seen him in a few days.

[pineappleheadindc]

Where's Nivek? Did his copy of excel expire? Haven't seen him in a few days.

He posted to the Game 2 thread just as you posted your message, above.

[hands11]

Where's Nivek? Did his copy of excel expire? Haven't seen him in a few days.

Anyone got a link to openoffice. If not, we can be a collection going to get him an MS Office 360 subscription.

[AFM]

Where's Nivek? Did his copy of excel expire? Haven't seen him in a few days.

He posted to the Game 2 thread just as you posted your message, above.

I'm sorry, are you his lawyer?

[pineappleheadindc]

Where's Nivek? Did his copy of excel expire? Haven't seen him in a few days.

He posted to the Game 2 thread just as you posted your message, above.

I'm sorry, are you his lawyer?

If I tell you, I'll have to bill you for your time.

You don't want that.

[DCZards]

I see it just opposite. The Wizards veterans are showing collectively good abilities. They are winners who are going to get through the point that Wall and Beal do not need to force a thing.

Wall and Beal seeing that they don't have to take over or score a lot of points for the Zards to win may have been the best thing to come out of Game 1...other than the win, of course. Wall and Beal just need to play smart, make good decisions and let the game come to them. Now that they've seen that, I expect both of them to be play loose and, hopefully, have a few big scoring games during this series.

[Hypnotizer]

"It's a dogfight. They're not going to call fouls. What we said is we're not going to bitch at the officials anymore. We're not going to complain that I got pushed in the back," Wittman said.

[sfam]

The Bulls definitely looked shook after the comeback, like they didn't know what to do offensively. Their lack of a go to guy was pretty glaring in crunch time.

Admittedly I was stunned by the physicality & the athletic advantage the Wizards had over the Bulls. It was really apparent in the 3rd after we were down 64-51. It seemed like desperation kicked in and physically we were simply the more dominant team. We basically out-bulled the Bulls. The Bulls struggled mightily to create a quality shot from that point on. I thought it was really telling.

The Bulls are incredibly well coached and disciplined it seemed like those advantages slip away once more talented teams match the energy level that the Bulls bring all year long.

As weird as it sounds now, as long as Nene stays healthy, I have a hard time seeing the Wizards lose this series. The talent gap appears too wide. Even going 7 games seems unlikely. If the Wizards are going to play defense like they did for the final 18 minutes in the 2nd half yesterday, they could end this series in 5.

The question to me is whether the Wizards can limit their moments of boneheadedness. They drop their concentration, usually in the 3rd quarter for stretches. They did so in this game at the end of the first half, but really brought it in the second half.

But more astounding is that we actually look at the first game and conclude that Witt outcoached Tibbs. Witt had an idea what Tibbs was going to do in terms of limiting Wall and Beal and came up with a gameplan that emphasized physicality and points down low. If Witt continues to at least break even with Tibbs, I agree that the Wizards are in the drivers seat as long as their concentration holds.

[dckingsfan]

Noah absolutely deserves the award for DPOY, but he is expose-able by certain competition.

This pic on the GB sums it up quite nicely

HOF

[FreeBalling]

Sonny Carson just gets a massive erection whenever Wall struggles. Must have made for an interesting 2.5 hours for him yesterday.

If thats your best reply....there is no need for me to have a serious discussion with you. good day.

Rose looks great in his suit...wonder if he's Gilbert 2.0 in regards to the second injury.

Sonny, Wall didn't have his best game. However, he's going to light it up sooner or later. I'm sure you'll be excited for a 18/12/4 night. It coming....enjoy the HD games.

[crackhed]

^ rose will have to change his game somewhat imo. he attacks the rim too aggressively twisting and turning all the time. but i digress