GT #65: Pacers @ Bullets 7 PM EST

[80sballboy]

The most amazing stat about this game...



Wait for it.....





Nobody has taken fewer shots than Russ.

Since then Westbrook took 4-5 more shots to finish with 8.

Somebody probably gave him a stat sheet and he was stunned at how few shots he took.

[nate33]

Rui really is a remarkable athlete. He is so fluid and seems almost ambidextrous. He has great balance going to either hand. That left-handed dunk in transition was beautiful.

If he can find some consistency next season, no reason why he can't put up 17 and 7. That three-point shot is getting better. He's around 33%.

Yup. Just get better and 3's and rebounding and he will quickly become an above-average starter at the most coveted position in the game.

[tontoz]

I lost count. Gafford forced like 6-7 misses in crunch time. Such a great player.

Chicago really f'd up.

[NatP4]

The most amazing stat about this game...



Wait for it.....





Nobody has taken fewer shots than Russ.

Since then Westbrook took 4-5 more shots to finish with 8.

Somebody probably gave him a stat sheet and he was stunned at how few shots he took.

The shot while mid-arguing with the ref was hilarious. I’m not sure if he was even looking at the basket.

[80sballboy]

I lost count. Gafford forced like 6-7 misses in crunch time. Such a great player.

Chicago really f'd up.

I guess, but maybe he just fits this system better. Would he get that many good looks with LaVine playing point guard? The best thing that happened to him was the trade. He was only going to get about 12-15mpg with Vucevic in Chicago. He's nowhere near as good offensively or on the boards. We also really caught a break when LaVine caught COVID and of course, they've taken a tumble to the 11th spot.

[PaulinVA]

Sabonis has a gigantic head.

The type of key analysis I lurk here for.

[MikeTheKid]

I’m on the train now and my goodness Russ is incredible


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[ozthegap]

I just checked in to see how the game was going... wtf happened? Is defense no longer possible in the nba?

[80sballboy]

I just checked in to see how the game was going... wtf happened? Is defense no longer possible in the nba?

Have you watched the league? Scoring has been up for the last few years. It's not just the D, but also pace of play. Every time they scored, we inbounded and tried to score within 3-4 seconds on transition. That's the way the old Denver Nuggets used to play, which is why Scott Skiles had 30 assists 31 years ago.

But transition D was atrocious tonight by both teams. We scored 94 points in the paint. A big reason? No Myles Turner. Sabonis is not a true center, nor is he a rim protector.

[tontoz]

I lost count. Gafford forced like 6-7 misses in crunch time. Such a great player.

Chicago really f'd up.

I guess, but maybe he just fits this system better. Would he get that many good looks with LaVine playing point guard? The best thing that happened to him was the trade. He was only going to get about 12-15mpg with Vucevic in Chicago. He's nowhere near as good offensively or on the boards. We also really caught a break when LaVine caught COVID and of course, they've taken a tumble to the 11th spot.

Yeah Russ + Gafford = BOOM

[badinage]

Holy F*ck, that was amazing.

Name me 8 teams in the league who are better than this team.

They might not match up well with every squad in a playoff series, but this team can beat ANYone.

Also ... how many teams are as likable/appealing? Philly. Nope. Boston? No. Milwaukee? Maybe. The Nets? Ha. Clippers? I guess. Phoenix? Enh. Lakers? Ok, the Lakers. Denver? A very likable squad. Utah? Also likable. What’s that? Five teams?

[80sballboy]

Holy F*ck, that was amazing.

Name me 8 teams in the league who are better than this team.

They might not match up well with every squad in the NBA right now, but they can beat ANYone.

Agree. I think the Pacers are barely average without Brogdon. Milwaukee will be a truer test on Wed. to see where we are. Better teams? Sure, Milwaukee, Philly, Nets, Jazz (I know we beat them twice), Clippers, Suns and that might be it. Maybe throw in Denver without Murray. They've been very good w/o him.

[payitforward]

Rui really is a remarkable athlete. He is so fluid and seems almost ambidextrous. He has great balance going to either hand. That left-handed dunk in transition was beautiful.

If he can find some consistency next season, no reason why he can't put up 17 and 7. That three-point shot is getting better. He's around 33%.

Yup. Just get better and 3's and rebounding and he will quickly become an above-average starter at the most coveted position in the game.

Rui had a terrific game -- one of his best as a Wizard. He certainly played like an "above-average starter" tonight!

The other guy who had an outstanding outing tonight (aside from Russ who unbelievable) was Chander Hutchison. If he produced at tonight's level on a regular basis, we wouldn't need to look for another wing in the off season.

[Dadouv47]

Rooting for you guys and I'm happy to see Westbrook playing at a high level again. I started watching the Wizards beginning of this RS and damn it doesn't look like the same team. You guys need some defensive help but this team is pretty solid. Regardless of what happens in the play in tournament, I like Wizards future if they decide to keep their main core.

[badinage]

The camaraderie right now is special.

That can be attributed to Brad and ’brook.

And Brooks. Credit where it’s due.

This team has lost 3 games in the past four weeks. Won 13.

If they can add one player in the offseason, the right player, this team could go to the chip.

But who would that player be? Does that player exist?

...

P.S. ’brook just had one of the most phenomenal games in franchise history. 24 assists, 21 rebounds, 14 points on 5-8 shooting. Let us shower him with praise. No, let us drench him with praise. I want all of us on here, and all of those who post on bulletsforever, to throw down words and words of awe and gratitude — enough words, and enough of the right words, to make up for all the bitching and moaning and carping of the past five months.

[NatP4]

Westbrook has completely changed the culture of this team. They can really build on this. Obviously, need to hire a better coach and add a wing defender, but the culture is there.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Sabonis has a gigantic head.

The type of key analysis I lurk here for.

This is the NBA. You gotta comment on head size. Robert Parrish. Zaza Pachulia. And don’t forget Sabonis’ dad Arvidis. Big ole head there. Amirite.

[thebigE]

Westbrook has completely changed the culture of this team. They can really build on this. Obviously, need to hire a better coach and add a wing defender, but the culture is there.

Shout out to the house that Tommy Sheppard is building.

[MikeTheKid]

Gafford has been a joy to see in this system with Russ, sorry Thomas but unless he gets stronger while rehabbing Gafford is going to eat his minutes next season

[PaulinVA]

Sabonis has a gigantic head.

The type of key analysis I lurk here for.

This is the NBA. You gotta comment on head size. Robert Parrish. Zaza Pachulia. And don’t forget Sabonis’ dad Arvidis. Big ole head there. Amirite.

Maybe make this a fantasy basketball statistic......