Official Wizards vs Cavaliers Playoff Thread

[SmootSmack]

Well having Etan righ now would help, if for no other reason then he'd rough some people up. Wouldn't be surprised to see us go get a "thug" this offseason.

[hooskins]

Look I am not making excuses about the blowout, but am making a point about LeBron. I don't really see how that makes me a "whiny fan" making excuses. We do that about Skins games all the time, so I don't really see how this is any different, beside the fact Js is not a Wiz fan.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by hooskins

Look I am not making excuses about the blowout, but am making a point about LeBron. I don't really see how that makes me a "whiny fan" making excuses. We do that about Skins games all the time, so I don't really see how this is any different, beside the fact Js is not a Wiz fan.

I agree with ya hooskins, I don't like the fact that the refs treat James like he's the only reason people watch the sport. But we just have to get used to it, it's not like it's gonna change. That's the advantage that comes with being a superstar player, you are going to get all the calls. We just have to man up and not let that get to us.

[hooskins]

I agree stars get calls. Like I mentioned before Wade got a ton of ridiculous calls during miami's run towards their championship. The Wiz just have to play their game at home and not worry too much about LeBron.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

I don't care that they ejected Brenda; as you say, the game was already out of hand. What I didn't like about the call was that it was not consistent with the way they had called the game up to that point. Two instances in particular; the hard foul on Blatche by Varejao and the hard foul on AD (can't remember who hit him). Those were both hard fouls of the same nature that they didn't call Flagrant Two's on.

Honestly, I don't think the Wizards have the mentality to play hard. It seems like their tough play has detracted from their scoring. Maybe they're focusing too much on being physical. I don't know. It's not looking good, and they are going to end up letting those chumps from Cleveland beat them once again if they don't do something to correct it.

I couldn't agree more. Physical gritty play isn't really our style. We decided to make this thing into a big grudge match (or at least Deshawn and Gil did anyway), and we're focusing too much on trying to be tough guys rather than playing our game. We ran our mouths, we're playing like thugs, and we look like shit. We also look like total fools for talking so much smack and then getting whipped the first two games by a combined margin of 39 points. I'm pissed off. I love the Wiz, I HATE the Cavs and prince james, and I can't believe how badly this is playing out.

As far as the foul thing- we all know how Lebron is officiated. We've seen it for 3 straight years now in the playoffs. So there is no excuse.

[Duffman003]

I hate Lebron James and I'm starting to dislike the Cleveland area along with the Browns.

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well having Etan righ now would help, if for no other reason then he'd rough some people up. Wouldn't be surprised to see us go get a "thug" this offseason.

I think a stud "big guy" has been something the Wizards have needed for several seasons. I have no idea if it's even plausible, but if we've got any shot at taking down Cleveland in the next 10 years, a "thug" is exactly what we need.

[SeanTaylor21]

ESPN - Report: Haywood won't be suspended for flagrant foul on James - NBA
Good news, now he can really go after LBJ.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by SeanTaylor21

ESPN - Report: Haywood won't be suspended for flagrant foul on James - NBA
Good news, now he can really go after LBJ.

It's good that he wasn't suspended, but the refs are still gonna be keeping their eye on him moreso than other players. Things that he might've done in the past and not gotten called for will definitely be called now. He needs to stay out of foul trouble though, when he's not on the court Z has had a lot easier time and he's probably our most physical presence.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by mooby

I agree with ya hooskins, I don't like the fact that the refs treat James like he's the only reason people watch the sport. But we just have to get used to it, it's not like it's gonna change. That's the advantage that comes with being a superstar player, you are going to get all the calls. We just have to man up and not let that get to us.

The problem is it's Cleveland right now, so it's Lebron that is "getting the calls". If you played the Lakers you'd be saying that about Kobe. If you were playing Denver you'd say that about Iverson. If by chance you pass the Cavs, you'll say it about Garnett.
LeBron is a driver, when he drives, it's natural to foul him. I have yet to see a true phantom call against him.
Same with Arenas last year, he got a lot of ticky-tack fouls, but they were still fouls.
It's the price you pay for having a star on your team. The more a player succeeds, the more he drives into the lane, and of course, the more he gets fouled. Sure the refs are more likely to give the benefit of the doubt to a big player, but that is like that all across the NBA.
What I hate to see is when they think every little touch is a foul, and I've seen more and more of this out of Lebron lately.

This has nothing to do with me not being a wiz fan, this has to do with me being practically the only unbiased observer here. You can't complain about called when you lose by 30...you just can't.

[djnemo65]

Lebron is becoming one of my most hated guys in all of sports. When I think about how I rooted for him in the finals last year I have to take a bath.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by jsarno

This has nothing to do with me not being a wiz fan, this has to do with me being practically the only unbiased observer here. You can't complain about called when you lose by 30...you just can't.

Sure you can. You just can't claim that it's why you lost.

It is perfectly valid to question decisions made by referees win, lose, or draw.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

Sure you can. You just can't claim that it's why you lost.

It is perfectly valid to question decisions made by referees win, lose, or draw.

fair enough.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by jsarno

fair enough.

Yeah I was about to say that too. I was simply commenting that I don't like that Lebron gets all the calls. The Wiz lost by 30 last night because they played horrible, plain and simple. It had nothing to do with the fact that LBJ gets the calls. And I know what you're saying, every superstar in the NBA gets those calls. It just started because I disagree with some of the calls made. Some of the calls that went his way were nothing more than him barely getting touched while he drove in the paint. He's too powerful for those to really effect him, so they shouldn't have been called.

[SmootSmack]

Talent wise he's probably the Wizards best player, certainly the most electrifying, but I think the question should be asked: Are the Wizards better off not playing Arenas? He's definitely not 100% healthy and the team got this far without him. Are they trying too hard to incorporate him back into the game, is he trying too hard?

Right now we might be a better team with Caron leading the way and Arenas sitting this one out.