The Official Washington Basketball Thread: Wizards, Mystics etc

[StillUnknown]

Someone local used to trash Mariotti every chance he got. I wanna say either Kornheiser or Feinstein but it might have been someone else. I can't remember. They just said he was the biggest douche and hack in the business.

I'm pretty certain it was Korhnheiser

[Going Commando]

We flat out stole Crawford from the Hawks.

I can't believe that trade. It was stunning at the time. It just gets even more so every time Crawford hits the court. When the dust settles in a couple of years we might have gotten the two best guards from the class because of that swindle.

The most astonishing part of all is that we got Crawford, a first round pick, and boatloads of cap room for Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. Unbelievable. Buying out Bibby was a cherry on top.

That might go down as the most lopsided deal from the trade deadline and it was barely even mentioned at the time.

[Gator Bait]

I can't believe that trade. It was stunning at the time. It just gets even more so every time Crawford hits the court. When the dust settles in a couple of years we might have gotten the two best guards from the class because of that swindle.

The most astonishing part of all is that we got Crawford, a first round pick, and boatloads of cap room for Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. Unbelievable. Buying out Bibby was a cherry on top.

That might go down as the most lopsided deal from the trade deadline and it was barely even mentioned at the time.

I agree.....it might enter Kwame for Caron territory if our 1st round pick pans out. .....yet people still want to get rid of ernie????

---------- Post added March-31st-2011 at 06:58 PM ----------

I've got many lower level tickets for the game tomorrow. I'll part with them for $15 each if anyone is interested....was planning on giving away...but I might as well try and get a verizon center beer or two for myself and my date PM me if interested!

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Lol, I just came on here to post about how I can't believe we got Crawford and a 1st for Hinrich. I'm sitting in class thinking about it, amazing.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Anyone else think its bull**** that Wall is the only one suspended from last night?

[Dukes and Skins]

Anyone else think its bull**** that Wall is the only one suspended from last night?

Do I think it's ridiculous? yes but does it surprise me? not at all

[Burgold]

One game suspension is fair and almost acknowledgement that Wall was justified. I thought Howard might have got something. The guy whose name I can't spell at the moment seemed to be executing a normal, albeit dirty basketball play. Should have been a foul, but I'm not sure it merited a suspension.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Flagrant 2's are supposed to be automatic suspensions. So how in the hell is deliberately elbowing someone twice in the face lesser than responding to said elbows with a shot to the ribs?

Oh wait, that's right. One player is a Heat and the other isn't. **** David Stern.

Edited April 1, 2011 by G.A.C.O.L.B.

[@DCGoldPants]

Angel of Stern

I heard the NBA wants to create a 1st round bye in the playoffs. But only for teams located between Ft. Lauderdale and the Keys.

[Burgold]

Flagrant 2's are supposed to be automatic suspensions. So how in the hell is deliberately elbowing someone twice in the face lesser than responding to said elbows with a shot to the ribs?

Oh wait, that's right. One player is a Heat and the other isn't. **** David Stern.

Ah, didn't know that. In that case, Heat player deserves at least what Wall got.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

From Ted Leonsis.

http://www.tedstake.com/2011/03/31/about-last-night-2/

About Last Night

That was an interesting game to say the least against the Miami Heat.

We played aggressive and tough basketball. We didn’t back down in any way against a superior vet-laden team.

We were terribly short-handed yet we competed and played hard until the end. We don’t get the benefit of the doubt on calls in any fashion yet from the officials. We have to earn that right and we shall.

We have found a gem in rookie Jordan Crawford, haven’t we?

Giving a rookie playing time is the best way to know where he stands in his development. Check out Jordan’s stats of late. Wow. He was huge last night! I am proud of him.

With John Wall, Nick Young - who is injured - and Jordan Crawford, we will have a fine young and developing back court for many years to come.

I thought the team rallied around one another last night and were brothers in arms. I thought John Wall’s reaction to his rejection from the game was appropriate.

Enjoyable game. There are no “good” losses but I was happy with our performance last night.

Edited April 1, 2011 by BRAVEONAWARPATH

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Seems like they're prepared to do whatever it takes to bring back NY. If he's legit, if this is what we can expect from him going forward, that is great. Outside of a quality backup PG, out backcourt is locked in. Maybe we should draft Barnes. Lock down the 3 and going forward we can just focus on bigs and defensive specialists.

I don't know how anyone can look at the direction of this franchise and not be excited. And after the aggravated robbery of Crawford, is anyone still calling for Ernie's head?

[No Excuses]

Crawford has shown flashes but let's not get overboard. His efficiency is bad, he's like a bigger Juan Dixon right now. We all expect him to improve and he should, but let's not get crazy.

I'll stop calling for Ernie's head when this team becomes a legitimate contender. Glimpses in an 18 win season aren't changing my mind.

Edited April 1, 2011 by No Excuses

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Crawford has shown flashes but let's not get overboard. His efficiency is bad, he's like a bigger Juan Dixon right now. We all expect him to improve and he should, but let's not get crazy.

He's just like Juan Dixon....except he has a quicker first step, he's bigger and just an all around better athlete.

Other than that, Jordan's just like Juan. :pfft:

[SuperBash]

AND he got a first round pick

[CrypticVillain]

McGee is officially my favorite player in the NBA I love his intensity he backs down from no one. He blocks both Bosh and Wade and went up vs Lebron once but was a hard foul. First guy too come too the defense of Wall. He does some stupid things at times, I hope it's an age thing and will grow out of it. I think he will be a top 5 center in this league hopefully as earily as next year.

Not if his ball awareness doesn't improve. Like five times last night he was in perfect position for a rebound and didn't know where the ball was so he turned around and the Heat got a rebound.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I mean Jordan Crawford has already passed Juan Dixon's career high in points. Quicker, faster, stronger, bigger, better handles, better first step, better vision, etc.

But anyway, Ernie already made us a perenial playoff team once--for the first time in my life. And if you fire him and bring in someone else, they're gonna win 18 games too. He completely blew up a team in record time, Wall is a gimme, but Booker, Seraphin, NY and even McGee look like good picks. And he just pulled off a ridiculous trade. I mean think about it: We traded nothing for Hinrich and a 1st (Seraphin). Then we traded Hinrich for Crawford and another first. So at the end of the day we traded nothing for two 1sts and Jordan Crawford.

Ernie's got my vote of confidence.

[CrypticVillain]

Oh yeah, I do agree with the one game suspension for John Wall. You can't throw a punch. Nevertheless, THE PUNCH SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAD TO BE THROWN!!!!! If the stupid refs would have called the elbows in the first place, none of that commotion would have happened.

---------- Post added April-1st-2011 at 12:10 AM ----------

I mean Jordan Crawford has already passed Juan Dixon's career high in points. Quicker, faster, stronger, bigger, better handles, better first step, better vision, etc.

But anyway, Ernie already made us a perenial playoff team once--for the first time in my life. And if you fire him and bring in someone else, they're gonna win 18 games too. He completely blew up a team in record time, Wall is a gimme, but Booker, Seraphin, NY and even McGee look like good picks. And he just pulled off a ridiculous trade. I mean think about it: We traded nothing for Hinrich and a 1st (Seraphin). Then we traded Hinrich for Crawford and another first. So at the end of the day we traded nothing for two 1sts and Jordan Crawford.

Ernie's got my vote of confidence.

The two GMs at the Verizon center knows how to build teams. They know they have to slum it out for a couple of years to create a better future. I am all for it.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

New sig. Just for you Vishal :cool:

Been working on that for like two hours now. Good night and good luck.

[Rocky21]

Wall gets suspended and Z gets just a fine? I'm calling bull**** on that!

[No Excuses]

My eyes are burning looking at that thing.

My Juan Dixon comment meant more about his playing mentality than skill. Crawford chucks it out there to his hearts delight the way Dixon would. He needs to calm down and work on his outside shot a little more. Don't get me wrong, I like him a lot more than Young for sure. Crawford can pass and rebound.

As far as Ernie, I'll see if he manages to build this team as more than a 44+ win team. Like I've said before, I don't think he's a terrible GM, but I think he's the type of guy who will build you into mediocrity but doesn't have the guts to take it to the next level. Plus I'm also still sort of bitter about the way he handled Gilbert and the gun situation.

Edited April 1, 2011 by No Excuses

[Burgold]

My eyes are burning looking at that thing.

My Juan Dixon comment meant more about his playing mentality than skill. Crawford chucks it out there to his hearts delight the way Dixon would. He needs to calm down and work on his outside shot a little more. Don't get me wrong, I like him a lot more than Young for sure. Crawford can pass and rebound.

As far as Ernie, I'll see if he manages to build this team as more than a 44+ win team. Like I've said before, I don't think he's a terrible GM, but I think he's the type of guy who will build you into mediocrity but doesn't have the guts to take it to the next level. Plus I'm also still sort of bitter about the way he handled Gilbert and the gun situation.

That could be because there are so many injured bodies and coaches have told him not to hesitate, but shoot.

[Clutch03]

That could be because there are so many injured bodies and coaches have told him not to hesitate, but shoot.

I believe this also. If Crawford doesn't score who will? I mean if he isn't pulling the trigger than who should the ball go to? When Young was back in the lineup Crawford took less shots and looked for Young. I think he is doing what the coaches are asking him to do. You would have to think that especially since Flip praises Crawford ever chance he gets. I believe Flip has said that Crawford listens well and executes what is being asked of him.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Plus I'm also still sort of bitter about the way he handled Gilbert and the gun situation.

That incident caused me to look at Ernie in a whole new light.

And not a positive one either....

[pjfootballer]

Seems like they're prepared to do whatever it takes to bring back NY. If he's legit, if this is what we can expect from him going forward, that is great. Outside of a quality backup PG, out backcourt is locked in. Maybe we should draft Barnes. Lock down the 3 and going forward we can just focus on bigs and defensive specialists.

I don't know how anyone can look at the direction of this franchise and not be excited. And after the aggravated robbery of Crawford, is anyone still calling for Ernie's head?

Actually if Walsh is let go by the Knicks and they go back to Isaiah, I'd take Walsh in heartbeat.

---------- Post added April-1st-2011 at 01:52 PM ----------

As far as Ernie, I'll see if he manages to build this team as more than a 44+ win team. Like I've said before, I don't think he's a terrible GM, but I think he's the type of guy who will build you into mediocrity but doesn't have the guts to take it to the next level. Plus I'm also still sort of bitter about the way he handled Gilbert and the gun situation.

Screw 44 wins. I want 50+. The 1978-79 Bullets was the last year this franchise won over 50. We were 54-28. I'm tired of getting the lower seed when we actually do make the playoffs. It's like Redskins fans gushing over a 9-7 wildcard berth season. Expecations with the Redskins have been lowered to ridiculous levels over the years. We used to expect nothing less than a long playoff run with super bowls. Time for Wizards fans to expect 50 win seasons.