Washington Wizards merchandise is cheap

[Alymero]

Things must be pretty bad when a Wizards t-shirt goes for 3 bucks, huh? I'm not really a fan, but I bought the shirt anyway because I know that the Wiz will be playoff bound in 2010 replacing the Pistons in the post-season. Also, the Wiz will no doubt be a darkhorse to reach the finals providing everyone stays healthy.

[Pass_The_Sticks]

Thats nothing! I bought a Washington Nationals hat for $2 at the Sports Authority last week. lol

[closg00]

IBTL - Thanks for stopping-by

[AG3NT4twenty]

its probably got something to do with the fact that they won 19 games last year, the "hibachi" has burnt out due to a porcelain knee, and theyre incapable of playing defense, not to mention the frontcourt is pathetic compared to the good teams in the east. the redskins will be good though, so thats something to look forward to

Alymero, youre out of your mind crazy if u think the Wiz are going to the Finals. They will be under .500, like they ALWAYS are. Lets take off the insane homer goggles and be real for a min

[DaRealHibachi]

its probably got something to do with the fact that they won 19 games last year, the "hibachi" has burnt out due to a porcelain knee, and theyre incapable of playing defense, not to mention the frontcourt is pathetic compared to the good teams in the east. the redskins will be good though, so thats something to look forward to

Alymero, youre out of your mind crazy if u think the Wiz are going to the Finals. They will be under .500, like they ALWAYS are. Lets take off the insane homer goggles and be real for a min

Who are YOU...

[dnk]

Haha I'm interested. Where'd you get a Wizards shirt for $3?

[miller31time]

They will be under .500, like they ALWAYS are. Lets take off the insane homer goggles and be real for a min

07-08: 43-39 (.524)
06-07: 41-41 (.500)
05-06: 42-40 (.512)
04-05: 45-37 (.548)

???

[verbal8]

its probably got something to do with the fact that they won 19 games last year, the "hibachi" has burnt out due to a porcelain knee, and theyre incapable of playing defense, not to mention the frontcourt is pathetic compared to the good teams in the east. the redskins will be good though, so thats something to look forward to

Alymero, youre out of your mind crazy if u think the Wiz are going to the Finals. They will be under .500, like they ALWAYS are. Lets take off the insane homer goggles and be real for a min

Who are YOU...

Apparently someone who has been under a rock for the last 5 years. Or maybe it is Ji's long lost twin.

[Donkey McDonkerton]

They will be under .500, like they ALWAYS are. Lets take off the insane homer goggles and be real for a min

FAILURE!

Welcome to the boards, your first post was a failure, please try again.

[montestewart]

Alymero, youre out of your mind crazy if u think the Wiz are going to the Finals. They will be under .500, like they ALWAYS are. Lets take off the insane homer goggles and be real for a min

Most fans wear slightly insane homer goggles; optimism is as much a part of my Bullets/Wizards experience as frequent griping. Those with homer goggles might also be closer observers of their team (see for example miller31time response above); they might know better the difference made by Haywood’s return, the Jordan to Saunders coaching change, the addition of an efficient and unselfish outside shooter, and the overall depth of the team. Considering where the Wizards were in 2007-08, it’s not unreasonable to believe that these changes alone might return them to .500 and the playoffs. How far beyond that depends a lot on Arenas, but also on the development and deployment of the younger players (including Foye) and the success of Saunders new system, especially on defense.

Some people call lotteries a tax on stupid people. I prefer to view them as a tax on people with irrational dreams. Being a Wizards fan is just such a tax, and my insane goggles help me maintain my optimism with a team that might miss the playoffs but could also be considered a long shot to make the finals. I'm looking forward to this season, and if it sucks, I will gripe.

[DaRealHibachi]

^^^True Story...

Welcome the boards man, hope to see more encouraging posts from you...

[miller31time]

Alymero, youre out of your mind crazy if u think the Wiz are going to the Finals. They will be under .500, like they ALWAYS are. Lets take off the insane homer goggles and be real for a min

Most fans wear slightly insane homer goggles; optimism is as much a part of my Bullets/Wizards experience as frequent griping. Those with homer goggles might also be closer observers of their team (see for example miller31time response above); they might know better the difference made by Haywood’s return, the Jordan to Saunders coaching change, the addition of an efficient and unselfish outside shooter, and the overall depth of the team. Considering where the Wizards were in 2007-08, it’s not unreasonable to believe that these changes alone might return them to .500 and the playoffs. How far beyond that depends a lot on Arenas, but also on the development and deployment of the younger players (including Foye) and the success of Saunders new system, especially on defense.

Some people call lotteries a tax on stupid people. I prefer to view them as a tax on people with irrational dreams. Being a Wizards fan is just such a tax, and my insane goggles help me maintain my optimism with a team that might miss the playoffs but could also be considered a long shot to make the finals. I'm looking forward to this season, and if it sucks, I will gripe.

Nice post and welcome aboard (if you didn't get a formal welcoming back in February)!

Can't take credit as the resident optimist, though. If anything, I lean more to the pessimistic side (just my nature, I guess). The post I quoted was just idiotic and ill-informed. I have no problem with someone calling us a mediocre team or a team that must prove itself before being proclaimed a playoff-caliber squad or better. That's fine and justifiable. But to say we're perennially a garbage team is wrong.

PS: If you want optimists and damn good posters, read anything doclinkin and fishercob write.

[montestewart]

Can't take credit as the resident optimist, though. If anything, I lean more to the pessimistic side (just my nature, I guess). The post I quoted was just idiotic and ill-informed. I have no problem with someone calling us a mediocre team or a team that must prove itself before being proclaimed a playoff-caliber squad or better. That's fine and justifiable. But to say we're perennially a garbage team is wrong.

The Bullets made four finals in the 1970s. That’s when I became a fan. I had to live through the 80s and 90s, my all-time favorite player Unseld as a coach and general manager, Washington as the last stop for overweight players, Juwan Howard max contract, and I’m only scratching the surface. I know mediocre, and I know bad too.

You might be more realistic than optimistic, but that doesn’t make you a pessimist. I’ve been coming to this board since 2005 and I’m familiar with the primary posters, who do a much better job than I could analyzing and discussing the Wizards and basketball in general. If people are interested in thinking about and talking about something…well, that looks like optimism to me.

As for Wizards gear, I have to give away too many game freebies as it is. I like my Unseld jersey (my wife has a Webber jersey). The first pro game I ever saw was the ABA Washington Capitols at the DC Armory, looking a lot like the games in Semi-Pro. I never developed much of a taste for the loud music, the dancers, the halftime show, or the other distractions. I mostly just like the game.