Game Thread: WAS @ POR Tue Feb 8 10PM

[nate33]

Late game tonight against Portland. It will be televised on NBA TV.

Portland creamed us the last we played. I'm not expecting a better result tonight.

Portland is an example of how a well-managed team can operate. They've had lots of talent for a long time, but kept suffering injuries - first to Oden, then Roy. They recovered and played 50-win ball for a while until they suffered a key injury to Matthews and then the defection of Aldridge. That double-whammy would have crippled a Grunfeld-run team for a decade, but Portland recovered in one offseason. They made a few shrewd moves and acquired young guys like Aminu, Henderson, Davis, Crabbe and Vonley on cheap contracts. Now they're 2 games above .500 with a very young team and a payroll of just $52M (before acquiring Varajeo's contract). They have two stars in the backcourt, a lot of quality young depth, and a zillion dollars in cap room.

Oh, and Damian Lilliard is pretty clearly a better player than John Wall at this point. And McCollum is better than Beal. They were drafted 6th and 10th respectively.

Err, um, Go Wizards!

[dlts20]

I don't agree with alot of what you said but here is hoping for a win tonight

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Late game tonight against Portland. It will be televised on NBA TV.

Portland creamed us the last we played. I'm not expecting a better result tonight.

Portland is an example of how a well-managed team can operate. They've had lots of talent for a long time, but kept suffering injuries - first to Oden, then Roy. They recovered and played 50-win ball for a while until they suffered a key injury to Matthews and then the defection of Aldridge. That double-whammy would have crippled a Grunfeld-run team for a decade, but Portland recovered in one offseason. They made a few shrewd moves and acquired young guys like Aminu, Henderson, Davis, Crabbe and Vonley on cheap contracts. Now they're 2 games above .500 with a very young team and a payroll of just $52M (before acquiring Varajeo's contract). They have two stars in the backcourt, a lot of quality young depth, and a zillion dollars in cap room.

Oh, and Damian Lilliard is pretty clearly a better player than John Wall at this point. And McCollum is better than Beal. They were drafted 6th and 10th respectively.

Err, um, Go Wizards!

Varajeo? He's with the Warriors. (EDITED: I should know better than doubt you. Waived Varajeo is with Ws ...)

Otherwise, agree that Portland is the antithesis of the Wizards. Well-run, shrewdly managed, younger and better.

Probably a big loss tonight.

[TheSecretWeapon]

I have the Wizards as underdogs in each of the next three games. Tonight, I have them with a 35% chance of winning.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I have the Wizards as underdogs in each of the next three games. Tonight, I have them with a 35% chance of winning.

Let's them lose all three. Perhaps, Ernie Grunfeld will be held accountable.

[dlts20]

You guys are overstating stuff and this board is the most negative on realgm. Its depressing coming on here. Fact is if we win tonight then we are tied with them in the loss column with a much harder sked, and way more games missed due to injury. We also have a very young group in Wall, Beal, Porter, Morris, and Oubre while also being capable of signing Durant. That team won't be better than us by seasons end and should not be capable of blowing us out in most occasions

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

You guys are overstating stuff and this board is the most negative on realgm. Its depressing coming on here. Fact is if we win tonight then we are tied with them in the loss column with a much harder sked, and way more games missed due to injury. We also have a very young group in Wall, Beal, Porter, Morris, and Oubre while also being capable of signing Durant. That team won't be better than us by seasons end and should not be capable of blowing us out in most occasions

Portland has lost three straight games, two of them by more than 20 points (Detroit and Boston, with a two-point loss to Toronto). Yet, at 33-31, they are 6th in the Western Conference, presently.

--http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/2016.html?lid=standings_team Washington is currently 19th of 30 in simple rating system (SRS).
--http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/2016.html?lid=standings_team Portland is currently 14th of 30 in SRS

Washington has 4 players 25 and under(Wall, Porter, Oubre, Eddie) signed through 2017 (Beal is a RFA who will be maxed)
Portland has 8 players 25 and under (Lillard, Aminu, Plumlee, McCollum, Connaughton, Montero, Vonleh, Alexander) signed through 2017

I don't think Portland's worse off. They appear to be competitive with younger players.

[queridiculo]

CCJ, the opponents on this next three game stretch don't look all that imposing, but if I had to make a bet, my money would be on Washington dropping all three.

[dlts20]

You guys are overstating stuff and this board is the most negative on realgm. Its depressing coming on here. Fact is if we win tonight then we are tied with them in the loss column with a much harder sked, and way more games missed due to injury. We also have a very young group in Wall, Beal, Porter, Morris, and Oubre while also being capable of signing Durant. That team won't be better than us by seasons end and should not be capable of blowing us out in most occasions

Portland has lost three straight games, two of them by more than 20 points (Detroit and Boston, with a two-point loss to Toronto). Yet, at 33-31, they are 6th in the Western Conference, presently.

--http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/2016.html?lid=standings_team Washington is currently 19th of 30 in simple rating system (SRS).
--http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/2016.html?lid=standings_team Portland is currently 14th of 30 in SRS

Washington has 4 players 25 and under(Wall, Porter, Oubre, Eddie) signed through 2017 (Beal is a RFA who will be maxed)
Portland has 8 players 25 and under (Lillard, Aminu, Plumlee, McCollum, Connaughton, Montero, Vonleh, Alexander) signed through 2017

I don't think Portland's worse off. They appear to be competitive with younger players.

The East is deeper than the West this year so saying they are doing it in the West is of no significance to me. Most of those young guys you named are just that. Young guys. There is nothing special about them. Just your basic role player and that is their ceiling.

[dlts20]

Now where they do have a huge advantage is in the same area everyone does against us. Coaching. Witt is horrible and sadly heis probably the best one on the staff

[dlts20]

Wr shouldn't lose any of the 3. We should be ak it better than all these teams. I would definitely pick us to win with Beal starting but we have only gotten that once and we were up 5 in the 2nd half until he got hurt. I have no doubt Wall will show upon tthis trip. Therefore alot of this will come down to Temple. He finally broke out last game. If he can shoot 40 percent and 33 percent from deep then we win. If he's 1-7 then we lose

[J-Ves]

Who cares


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[AFM]

Perhaps, Ernie Grunfeld will be held accountable.

[queridiculo]

Wr shouldn't lose any of the 3. We should be ak it better than all these teams. I would definitely pick us to win with Beal starting but we have only gotten that once and we were up 5 in the 2nd half until he got hurt. I have no doubt Wall will show upon tthis trip. Therefore alot of this will come down to Temple. He finally broke out last game. If he can shoot 40 percent and 33 percent from deep then we win. If he's 1-7 then we lose

Well, the Wizards already lost to Portland and Denver at home, not sure where your optimism is coming from.

The Jazz had a an absolute stinker of a game coming out of the break, I'd expect them to be far more competitive at home.

[dlts20]

Wr shouldn't lose any of the 3. We should be ak it better than all these teams. I would definitely pick us to win with Beal starting but we have only gotten that once and we were up 5 in the 2nd half until he got hurt. I have no doubt Wall will show upon tthis trip. Therefore alot of this will come down to Temple. He finally broke out last game. If he can shoot 40 percent and 33 percent from deep then we win. If he's 1-7 then we lose

Well, the Wizards already lost to Portland and Denver at home, not sure where your optimism is coming from.

The Jazz had a an absolute stinker of a game coming out of the break, I'd expect them to be far more competitive at home.

we lost to alot of teams and best alot of teams. Those teams are generally not good enough to sweep and we are better now while they are worse

[dlts20]

And for the record, I am far more hopeful than confident. I'll be confident with Beal starting

[Hidden Eye]

I see Don doesn't have the eye patch anymore.

[pineappleheadindc]

Let's go Wizards!!

[nuposse04]

And for the record, I am far more hopeful than confident. I'll be confident with Beal starting

Don't know what you are talking about if you think we have more talent then Portland. They have a better backcourt and way better depth and coaching across the board. They best us at home cause of sheer lack. We are bad and they are slightly above average, the result it predictable. :/

[Hidden Eye]

I think that was the first time Dudley dribbled the baskeball more than 3 times.