Player of the Game (Game 4, Bulls @ Wizards)

[montestewart]

I like that Ted is supporting his guys but what Nene did was stupid and not apologizing to his teammates was selfish.

It didn't make Nene enjoy today's victory any less. I heard he had a ball.

[noworriesinmd]

You gotta give it to Athreeza.

But Bradley Beal was damn close. Kid showed star potential out there. I also thought Wall, while not scoring or looking as aggressive as we would like on that front, did a great job defensively (for the most part, a few lazy matador-and-try-to-poke-the-ball-out moments) and was finding shooters easily with the pass.

Fantastic game all round, its hard to fault a single player. They all let each other down by playing lazy in the 4th though.

Some of his steals and pokes appeared to generate momentum.. I thought Wall was the 2nd best player tonight.

[GhostsOfGil]

I thought Wall did some fantastic things on the court tonight but his shot selection can be really frustrating. Beating a dead horse here but DAMNIT WALL. STOP SHOOTING LONG 2s!!!!!

[doclinkin]

I like that Ted is supporting his guys but what Nene did was stupid and not apologizing to his teammates was selfish.

It didn't make Nene enjoy today's victory any less. I heard he had a ball.

Yeah he wasn't quite as testy as he has been.

[payitforward]

I give player of the game to... Nene!!

His ejection is surely at least one main reason that our guys came out in super-focused mode and dominated. At the same time, knowing Nene wouldn't play just might have caused the Bulls to be chuckling on the day off and assume they'd already put game 4 in their win column -- taking back home court advantage and erasing our performances in Chicago.

So, even if I'm joking a little, you can make the argument that Nene, even absent, was the player of the game. No?

[montestewart]

I give player of the game to... Nene!!

His ejection is surely at least one main reason that our guys came out in super-focused mode and dominated. At the same time, knowing Nene wouldn't play just might have caused the Bulls to be chuckling on the day off and assume they'd already put game 4 in their win column -- taking back home court advantage and erasing our performances in Chicago.

So, even if I'm joking a little, you can make the argument that Nene, even absent, was the player of the game. No?

Give him half the credit.

[Rafael122]

Gortat missed some bunnies. Not sure how it came across on TV, but man, he easily could have had 20-25 points last night. Missed layups at point blank range

[dckingsfan]

Gortat missed some bunnies. Not sure how it came across on TV, but man, he easily could have had 20-25 points last night. Missed layups at point blank range

Kind of the entire series, no?

[Rafael122]

Gortat missed some bunnies. Not sure how it came across on TV, but man, he easily could have had 20-25 points last night. Missed layups at point blank range

Kind of the entire series, no?

I suppose. I wouldn't say he's afraid of contact, but it looks like he tries to avoid it, and then just takes some awkward layups. It's frustrating b/c that game could have been over with 3-4 minutes to spare, instead I was sitting there sweating it out.

[Severn Hoos]

I give player of the game to... Nene!!

His ejection is surely at least one main reason that our guys came out in super-focused mode and dominated. At the same time, knowing Nene wouldn't play just might have caused the Bulls to be chuckling on the day off and assume they'd already put game 4 in their win column -- taking back home court advantage and erasing our performances in Chicago.

So, even if I'm joking a little, you can make the argument that Nene, even absent, was the player of the game. No?

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s11Ff8MktME[/youtube]

Nene using the Norman Dale strategy to get the young-uns to see they can win one their own.

[montestewart]

Gortat missed some bunnies. Not sure how it came across on TV, but man, he easily could have had 20-25 points last night. Missed layups at point blank range

On TV it came across as "Gortat missed ANOTHER layup!"

[Higga]

Gotta be Ariza(I like Athreeza)but Beal gets votes too.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Definitely Athreeza.

Also worth mentioning Martell's second quarter where he was drawing fouls on & wearing down Augustine as well as running the break and scoring.

And Booker has to get some mention. He fought through some garbage calls and played with playoff intensity.
Even Taj gave him a shout out:
"I thought Booker did a great job in the opening. Hustle plays. Put backs. They just jumped on us."

[buszmen]

I suppose. I wouldn't say he's afraid of contact, but it looks like he tries to avoid it, and then just takes some awkward layups. It's frustrating b/c that game could have been over with 3-4 minutes to spare, instead I was sitting there sweating it out.

Refs really must doesnt like Gortat. So many unjustified fauls called, maybe he doesnt want to be fauled out of the game.

[Zonkerbl]

Mike Dunleavy is the European Ariza.

[dobrojim]

Ariza played huge. So huge he even fooled Hubie Brown into praising his ability to take his man off the dribble. WTF? Gortat should get some props though for holding it down in the middle in Nene's absence. Not a huge game, statistically, but that trap-breaking pass to Ariza in the 4th quarter was a thing of beauty. (And, although it was potentially a really dumb move - there's a small part of me that's proud of him for coming off the bench and being ready to get his teammate's back Friday night.)

Not a great game from Gortat in quite a few respects but he did have 5 assists
and the whole freakin team only had 6 TOs. That's awesome execution.

I had to go with Athreeza. It was a thing of beauty on a number of occasions.
The end of half shot especially stands out in my mind. Buzzer goes off while the
ball is in the air. Swish! Reestablished momentum.

[dobrojim]

I suppose. I wouldn't say he's afraid of contact, but it looks like he tries to avoid it, and then just takes some awkward layups. It's frustrating b/c that game could have been over with 3-4 minutes to spare, instead I was sitting there sweating it out.

Refs really must doesnt like Gortat. So many unjustified fauls called, maybe he doesnt want to be fauled out of the game.

Gortat suffered the brunt of a lot of questionable calls. Gets called for minimal
fouls on D, gets no love on similar plays when he's shooting.