Official Wizards vs Cavaliers Playoff Thread

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by 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.

I understand the thought process, the Wizards are only 6 and 7 with him in the lineup, (6 and 9 if you include playoffs) but I think I'd rather lose KNOWING my best players were on the court.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I understand the thought process, the Wizards are only 6 and 7 with him in the lineup, (6 and 9 if you include playoffs) but I think I'd rather lose KNOWING my best players were on the court.

But the question is, is he one of the best players right now?

[Dirtbag59]

Lets resign Arenas and then trade him to the Magic for Dwight Howard. I mean it works on NBA 2K

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

But the question is, is he one of the best players right now?

Arenas at 85% is better than about 90-95% of the league.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree. Arenas has contributed on offense since he got back, but he hasn't been quite as good on defense. Another question to lead onto the question you asked is that are the Wizards better without Arenas? While he sat out the stretch run, the team managed to survive without him and since he's been back he hasn't really put the team over the top. That's a question that will come when the season is over, but for now I think it'd be better if we rested him a little since he's clearly not 100%.

[SmootSmack]

Game 3

21-17 Zards end of 1st Q

[SmootSmack]

Halftime 49-33 Zards

[mooby]

So much for the Wiz giving Arenas a breather this game, they started him. He went to the dressing room and he appeared to be limping a bit so we'll see. Overall though for the first half I've got to give it to the Wiz, they are playing like Game 2 never even happened. James hasn't been driving as much in the paint as usual and it's showed. They've gotten a lot better on the offensive end as well, Caron started out 0-3 but he's been dynamite after that. The bench is making big contributions as well, especially from Blatche and Mason Jr. If we can keep playing good offensive ball in the second half, combined with dominating the boards at both ends, this team should be able to win this game. I really, really hope that this doesn't make us overconfident though, I'm really enjoying the fact that the Wiz aren't saying anything and leaving it all out on the court.

[SmootSmack]

Not surprised he started. I figured he might to energize the crowd. Still he's only played 9 minutes so the numbers are pretty much the same.

[mooby]

They just announced Gil's done for the night, I guess his knee is bothering him a little too much. We'll see how this affects the team for the second half.

[cpayne5]

The Wizards are running Eddie Jordan's offense tonight; not focusing on being dominant, physically. It's making all the difference in the world right now. I hope they keep it up.

[mooby]

72-43 Wizards. Caron just made an awesome strip of Lebron and returned it for 2 . I love watching this kind of basketball.

On a side note they said Gil has a bone bruise and he's day to day.

Just saw that CP is at the game. Is anyone else suprised that Wiz fans have turned out in full force to support the team? There were rumors that the white-out wasn't gonna work because they didn't think that many people were gonna show up. But man that place looks like it has a white blanket draped over it tonight.

[SmootSmack]

I love how Mason has really emerged to be a solid contributor on this team.

And AD is such a steady floor general. His 6:0 Assist:Turnover ratio should not be overlooked tonight.

It just further reiterates my question from earlier. Are we better off right now without Arenas? We can discuss if we're better off without him next year at a later time

[mooby]

Wiz won the game by 36 points, 108-72. While I do love seeing a blowout loss against a team I hate, I hope this game doesn't go to our head. Last time I checked we were behind in the series 2-1. But we do know this, if we play basketball like we played tonight then we can win this series.

[jsarno]

I wish I would have watched this game to see how you guys turned around a 30 point loss into a 36 point win. That's a huge turnaround, and I don't recall that ever happening.
See, I told you guys the Wiz are a poor road team...look what happened at home. Although if you keep trading wins at home, eventually you will lose.