95 Wizards, 94 Celtics

Still should have won this game but it was the B team as Doc sat KG, Rondo, Allen and Pierce.

The injury bug keeps on biting as Delonte West injured his right ankle.

Jeff Green had a great game 20 points and 15 boards. You can tell Jeff has really worked on trying to be a tougher rebounder. I want to see Jeff do well especially in the playoffs.

Jermaine also played a great game 15 points, 13 boards and 5 blocks. He looks healthy finally.

Looks like the Knicks are up

Wizards @ Celtics Preview

The Celtics will not be the #1 seed, but they can still be the #2. Going into this game they are tied with the Heat, and there is no one they would rather see come to the Garden then the Wizards.

The Wizards did beat the Celtics last time they played, but last time they played in Boston the Celtics blew them out 114-83, and I expect a similar result tonight. I know they aren't good in back-to-back game, but they need to come out pissed off on how they played against the Bulls last night.

The guy that I think will lead the charge will be Paul Pierce. He is the default captain, and a "pride" guy. I think he is going to have on of his bigger scoring nights of the year. I am talking 30+ points, and just dominate the game.

The Celtics are better in every way, and if they jump on this team early they will give up. That's what'll happen, and it'll get ugly.

Celtics win 112-90
Tommy Award: Pierce

Hawks/ Wizards Make A Trade, Cavs/ Clippers Make Deal

Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong have been traded to the Hawks for PG Mike Bibby, rookie Jordan Crawford, swingman Maurice Evans and a 2011 first-round pick, according to ESPN.com news services.

This is how I'm going to breakdown this trade.

Hawks get:
Kirk Hinrich is a douche bag, he's an overly excitable white boy, that once pissed Rajon off during his Bulls days. Kirk is a gay name. Complete scumbag.

Hilton Armstrong was guy I liked coming out of UConn, even though I hate UConn. Has a name of a Hotel and pretty much has been completely useless as a big man all together.

Wizards get
Mike Bibby: one of the most overrated players in NBA history, still lives off his couple good years he had with the Kings, added nothing to the table for the Hawks. Once called Boston Celtics fans bandwagoners. Complete scumbag.

Jordan Crawford: went to an A 10 school in Xavier and accepted my friend request on facebook. Good dude.

Maurice Evans: Has been on 6 teams in 10 years of playing. Never really ever had an opinion of him because he's invisible.

First Round Pick: Good pick up.

Winner: Wizards, because I don't believe this is Hinrich's last stop and all these players suck. At east the Wizards get a 1st round pick in a weak draft class.


Cavs Get Barron Davis

Clippers get Mo Williams, Jamario Moon

That SUCKS for Baron Davis who went from at least having Blake Griffen to nothing and the shittiest city in America. I think the Cavs got the better end of the deal because they got the best beard involved in the trade, but I would be really worried about Baron Davis' weight issues. If he didn't care about staying in shape in LA what makes you think he will in Cleveland.

TOP 25 UNDER 25 - #14 John Wall

JOHN WALL - Point Guard, Washington Wizards

Our next entry brings another #1 overall pick in the D.C. area - John Wall of the Washington Wizards. Drafted after just one year at Kentucky, Wall has the misfortune of playing his rookie season in the same year as Blake Griffin (at least as far as the Rookie of the Year voting is concerned).

Having grown up in Raleigh, North Carolina Wall spurned his home state schools, UNC, Duke and the like and decided to take his talents to Rupp Arena to play with Coach Cal. No amount of money in the world could convince me that there weren't some ulterior motives there, but nonetheless Wall was a Wildcat and not a Tar Heel - for one year anyway.

His college career was brief, but not short of excitement and stellar play. In his very first college game Wall put himself on the map in a big way by nailing the game winning jumper with half a second left to beat Miami University. And on his biggest stage yet, against UConn at the garden, Wall put up a career high 25 to help Kentucky win. He was also able to lead his team to a victory over UNC despite battling cramps, putting up 16 with 7 assists and 5 boards. For all the great players that have gone through Kentucky, it is Wall that owns the school record for 16 assists in a game. Despite all the great play, Kentucky, a #1 seed in the 2009-10 tournament was upset by #2 West Virginia in the Elite 8.

As expected, Wall took his electrifying game to the NBA after just one season in college, following in the footsteps of Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans as the triumvirate of great Coach Cal one-and-done point guards. It didn't take Wall long to start making an impact for the befuddled Wizards. He is the first player in NBA history to record at least 9 assists in hist first three NBA games. In his debut he had 14 points 9 dimes and 3 steals. With lightning quick speed and off-the-charts athleticism being his two biggest assets, Wall is often over-looked for his defense and play making abilities. Just a few games into his NBA career he had already become the 3rd youngest player ever to record a triple-double putting up 19, 13 and 10 to go with 6 steals. He joined only Magic Johnson in recording a triple-double with 6 steals in his first 6 games of his career. The fact that he puts up any assists on that pathetic excuse of a basketball team is remarkable.

As a rookie, Wall is averaging over 9 assists per game which currently puts him at 5th in the league, behind greats like Rondo, Nash, Williams and Paul. He does need to improve his shooting touch, although his 40% is respectable. Like most rookie point guards, he struggles with turnovers on occasion - but that should improve with experience.

By most accounts Wall is a likable guy and a good teammate (he never publicly voiced concerns about playing with Gilbert Arenas) and so far has been very marketable. Reebok made him the face of their new ad campaign for Zigtech.

The future looks very bright for John Wall - even brighter if the Wizards keep losing and get a couple more lottery picks. At just 20 years of age, Wall is one of the babies on this list and Wizards fans will hope to see him climbing up this list in the coming years, and as long as he can refrain from bringing handguns to the locker room in D.C. I think he very well may.

If all of this wasn't enough to convince you, the man has created a god damn dance craze! I don't know how in the world this silliness ever caught on, but if you haven't seen it here it is.

Magic Blow Up Their Roster Epically

Otis Smith decided he would be the owner of bold moves as he shipped Rashard Lewis to the Washington Wizards for Gilbert Arenas on Saturday.

That trade followed news of a deal that shipped Vince Carter to the Phoenix Suns in a six-player swap that returns Hedo Turkoglu to the Magic.

The Magic also get Jason Richardson and Earl Clark from the Suns in exchange for Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, a 2011 first-round pick and cash considerations.

I don't get it, or like it. I know the Magic were kind of stale with the team they had but is this team really better? Rashard Lewis definitely didn't live up to his contract but is shipping him for a guy who has played only 60 something games since the 07 -08 season really help your team. Remember, aside from the "gun incident" Gilbert Arenas hasn't been able to be healthy. I don't understand why Otis Smith needed to take this jump and give up Rashard Lewis who gave the Magic size and perimeter shooting and most importantly he gave KG a lot of trouble on the defensive end.

Then Otis Smith is assuming Hedo is the same player that they let go years back while giving up your best perimeter defender, back up canter and a scorer. I don't like it. Sure Jason Richardson is a great scorer and will be a hell of a 6th man, but they are reaching here.

I see this move hurting the Magic more than helping them. Dwight Howard already gets in a lot of foul trouble and now they basically formed a funnel that all teams will use to get Howard in trouble. Now that their is no Pietris all teams will be living in the paint and having Howard to be a lot more active on the defensive end which will lead to more fouls.

This is/will come back to bite the Magic especially now that they don't have size or a decent back up at center.

114 Celtics, 83 Wizards

Apparently I was giving the Wizards too much credit when I predicted the score to be 108-85. The Celtics took the Arenas led Wizards to the woodshed last night. I can't really think of any player that didn't do well (maybe Von Wafer), but still a good complete game.

KG had 18 on 9 of 11 shooting, Shaq had 13, Ray had 11, Rondo had 12 points and 13 assists and Pierce had 23. Delonte also had a nice little debut with 12 points 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Nothing against Nate, but I love seeing Delonte running the second unit.

He is just a solid player. He has a high basketball IQ (not so much for life) and is very capable of being a back up point guard to Rondo.

There isn't much to say about this game other than the Celtics reinforcing my belief that they are the best team in the NBA.

Celtics/ Wizards Preview

Tonight the Celtics play the John Wall less Wizards. I'm not sure if Andre Blatche will be playing which will also benefit the Celtics. However, as we saw Cleveland do, sometime desperate teams sometime are scary.

Also,
Arenas is averaging 28.9 points over his last 11 meetings with Boston.

But tonight we get Delonte back, and coming off that long road trip, the Celtics should be able to dominate this team. Jermaine O'Neal is hurt, but that hasn't really hurt the Celtics this year.

Our Bigs in Baby, KG, Shaq and Semih have been playing outstanding, and obviously Rondo and the big 3 have all been in sync.

I don't want to post the line ups because who's injured isn't official yet, but I like the Celtics chances.

Celtics 108-85
Tommy Award: Shaq

Doing The John Wall = Missing Open Jumpers?

So I flipped on the Wizards vs. Magic game last night to see prized rookie John Wall take on one of the better teams in the East. So what did I learn?

The Wizards are one of the softest teams I have ever seen. Blatche was awful, and I don't know if I have ever seen anyone who has as much natural talent, but no idea how to use it. Hinrich couldn't cover DP, honestly every guy just blew by him.

But at least there is John Wall right? Well, not last night at least. Sure his stat line looks fine (14 points 9 asts), but he shot 6-19. All his shots were forced, he didn't accelerate the offense, he couldn't hit open jumpers, and in general looked reckless. Still, it is the first game and he is playing against a really good team, but anyone who thinks this guy is going to take over the NBA may need to wait a year or two. A lot of the "problems" Rondo has are the same Wall seems to have. He can't hit the outside shot, and unlike Rondo he doesn't have the talent around him to take the pressure off.

I don't believe in the NBA's +/- rating, but you know you didn't play well when you are -31 for the game, which is what Wall was last night. Not a lot is expected from the Wizards, but they should be ashamed of this 112-83 loss, because the blowout could've been over 45 points if the Magic kept their starters in.

At the end of the day John Wall will have much better games, because the Magic are good at clogging up the lane with guys like Howard and Co, but it is also obvious that he has a lot to work on and he is going to have to do a lot of it on his own, because even when Arenas comes back this team is just way too soft.

Gilbert Arenas Fined For Being A Good Guy?

Arenas was fined Wednesday for faking an injury to keep from playing in the Washington Wizards' home preseason opener. Although this sounds bad, he seemed to have good intentions...

Arenas said after the game Tuesday that he pretended to have a bum knee to give teammate Nick Young a chance to start.

"I told [Young] I'd sacrifice playing tonight so he can get some time in because I know he's kind of frustrated he's not getting a chance to crack the [small forward] position, especially since we're going three guards," Arenas said Tuesday, smiling. "So I told him I'll go and fake an injury or say something's wrong with me so you can start (ESPN)."

Arenas deserves to be suspended, because you can't lie about an injury like that, and I'm sure the coaching staff wasn't happy. Also, he should be fined for just being an idiot, because if he kept his mouth shut no one would've been able to prove anything.

With all that being said, at least it seems like Arenas is set on being a good teammate. He raved about John Wall and how he is the future of this team (and possible leader right now), and now he is going out of his way to get Nick Young some playing time. His intentions were good, but he needs to find a better way of doing things, and stop being an idiot. Basically, if he keeps his mouth shut all of this would've been fine.

Celtics To Make Run At Josh Howard

Sources have indicated that the Celtics have shown "serious interest" in free agent forward Josh Howard. Howard tore the ACL in his left knee as a member of the Wizards in March. He was projected to be out of action from 6-8 months but now he says that he is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation process and expects to be ready by the start of the regular season. Howard averaged 12.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game last season.

The Celtics would most likely would have to do a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Howard, since the Celtics have already used their mid-level exception on Jermaine O'Neal. Which mean the Celtics would be dealing Wallace contract in any deal for Howard. Overall I would be fine with this deal. He does make me nervous, since he is a shithead, but with the core of veterans the Celtics have, they should be able to keep him in line, and if he is healthy he can be a very solid contributor.

Wizards @ Celtics Preview

Boston is tied with Atlanta for 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, with 4 games remaining for each team. The Celtics will finish no lower than 4th, giving them home-court advantage for at least the first round. Yet, there are still thing I want to see before I can say I am at all confident for the playoffs.

1. Stop playing down to your competition.

Seems like the Celtics can play with any team that is on the court, but every game is really close even with they are playing shit teams. The Celtics can't do this even if they are matched up against a subpar team in the playoffs. Come to play every night.

2. Win at home.

They have home court advantage for the first round no matter what, but that really isn't much of an advantage as the Celtics have been anything but spectacular at home this season (24-15 home, 25-14 on the road).

3. Play some fucking defense.

This team shouldn't be letting anyone get 100 points on them. Yet over the past couple of weeks it feels like it happens every game. This goes back to effort, and fresh legs. No matter what it is the Celtics aren't going anywhere unless they play very good defense.

The Celtics should kill the Wizards. They are a terrible team, and I want to see them wipe the floor with them.

Celtics 110-83
Tommy Award: Paul Pierce

86 Celtics, 83 Wizards

Boy, that was almost embarrassing. However, Ray Allen and his perfect form knocked down a game winner with 17 seconds left. In fact, Ray Allen (25 points) nailed a pair of 3s in the final 90 seconds to lead the Celtics back from a 13 point fourth quarter deficit.

This game was frustrating as hell as Andre Blatche and Al Thorton had a combined for 47 points and were pretty much unstoppable. The Celtics had no answer for them and it was aggravating as hell. For 44 minutes of this game they were amazing, however the turnaround started happening at the 6 minute mark and the Cs closed the game on a 20-4 run.

The C's really need to stop playing down to their competition and start blowing teams like the Wizards out. But a win is a win, and they are on a 4 game win streak. I'll take it.

Box Score

Wizards Buyout Ilgauskas

The Washington Wizards and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas have reached an agreement on a contract buyout.So now you are going to see a lot of teams complain about this, because reports indicate that Ilgauskas is already back in Cleveland and they will resign him soon. To be honest, I don't have a problem with this at all. It is within the rules, and the Celtics did this a couple years back with Payton.

I am concerned about how good and deep the Cavs are now, but the question is whether or not they can gel in time. I think they will, and that makes me very worried as a Celtics fan.

Josh Howard Out For Season

The Washington Wizards said Tuesday that forward Josh Howard will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee.

Well this blows for the Wizards figuring he was the centerpiece in the deal for them.

This is a great quote:
"We're disappointed for Josh personally. He did an outstanding job," Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said. "We feel bad for him. The guys will have to step up in his absence."He was excited to be here."

meaning:

"fuck, What the Fuck! How the fuck are we going to get fans in the seats, I mean it's bad enough we have terrible attendence anyways, but fuck. I hope the Motherfucker chockes on his weed smoke and collapses."

Either way the Wizards are doing shit this year so fuck them.

Rivers Blasts Cavs For Jamison Trade

Doc Rivers is not happy at all about the trade the Cavs pulled off to get Jamison...

"I have a problem with that," Rivers said before Thursday's Lakers-Celtics game at Staples Center. "I loved it three years ago when we did it with Gary Payton if you remember, but now I think it sucks. I think it's a terrible deal. I actually do have a problem with that though. We did it, and I'm joking, but I do think [it's a problem]. I don't know what you do [maybe] just not allow them to go back to the same team or whatever. ... I do think that will be changed eventually, but I do have a problem with it."

This is just the Celtics being bitter that they couldn't pull off a deal like this. I agree that something needs to change with the trade deadline, and I like Rivers idea (which he stated later in the interview) that the trade deadline should be moved up a little bit.

Yet, what can you really do. It was a good deal for the Wizards. They had to get out of all these silly contracts, and as much as I love Jamison he is not worth the money he gets. All I can really say is good for the Cavs for being able to pull off a deal like this, and if the Celtics or anyone else had the chance to do it they would jump at it. Maybe it is a rule they should review, but in the end you can't fault the Cavs for getting the most out of the current rules.

The Secret Part Of The Cavs Trade

As we noted earlier the Cavs got Jamison in a deal, while shipping Big Z to the Wizards. What people may not know is that Zydrunas Ilgauskas is going to seek a buyout (which he should get because the Wizards don't care about winning this year), so that he can return possibly to the Cavs. Honestly I think the Celtics should take a look at this and see if they can get their hands on him. Their rebounding with their 2nd unit is fucking awful, and although he isn't the greatest rebounder he would give the Celtics a big body in the middle of that 2nd unit. Think of the 2nd unit if he came to the Celtics...

C - Big Z
PF - Sheed
SF - Allen
SG - Daniels
PG - Robinson

*not to mention Big Baby.


I would be fine with that, but the Celtics really need to do something about thier rebounding.

Cavs Get Antawn Jamison

Ok, get ready for some confusion:
Cleveland, Washington and the Los Angeles Clippers pulled off a three-team deal on Wednesday that sends Antawn Jamison to the Cavaliers as LeBron James' new sidekick, instead of Amare Stoudemire.

Cleveland sends Zydrunas Ilgauskas and his expiring $11.5 million contract to Washington. Washington also gets a 2010 first-round draft pick from Cleveland along with the rights to Emir Preldzic, who was selected in the second round of last year's draft.

The Wizards receive Al Thornton from the Clippers, with L.A. getting forward Drew Gooden, whom Washington acquired in last week's trade with Dallas.

Besides Jamison, Cleveland will also acquire Clippers guard Sebastian Telfair.

OK now that we got that out of the way, here's my take. Jamison is a great player, but allergic to defense. Cleveland is built around defense much like Boston, and if Jamison can pick it up, his game will be raised to a different level. But looking at this deal, it seems as if the Wizards got the best of this deal. They get a first round pick, as well as Al Thonton who is going to be a great player. I know he has had a disappointing year, but I still have faith that he can turn things around. Washington also freed a lot of cap space so they could be a major player in next year's NBA free agent extravaganza.

But this makes the Cavs an extremely good team and no matter my bias, they did get significantly better. Jamison will be the 4, and Varejo will move to his more natural position at 5.

Wizards and Mavs Make Deal

A seven-player weekend trade brought two-time All-Star guard Caron Butler, 7-foot center Brendan Haywood and guard DeShawn Stevenson to Dallas from Washington for Josh Howard and Drew Gooden and two others to the Wizards.

I like this deal for the Mavericks but I don't think this puts them over the top or better than the Lakers or even Denver. The thing that the Mavs mostly improve on is depth. The get a 2/3 tweener in Caron Butler who is a player who can score points in bunches and is a great slasher. Brendan Haywood is an improvement and is having a break out season with averaging almost a double double and 2 blocks. DeShawn Stevenson will be good to come off the bench to defend Kobe, Melo or any other premier scorer to eat up some fouls.

The Wizards are just looking to get some cap room for next year, so they aren't worth mentioning.

Newest Celtics Trade Rumor: Allen To Wizards (UPDATED)

I will say right now that if this happens I might have a heart attack, because if they pull off this trade the Celtics will be stacked!!!!

The rumor is Ray Allen, Brian Scalabrine and J.R. Giddens to the Wizards for Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. Jamison is a beast on the offensive boards, which is one of the Celtics biggest weaknesses. On top of that you can replace Allen's scoring with Butler, which is nice. Another reason I love this deal is because Jamison wouldn't be traded to the Cavs, which has been rumored for much of the season.

I am very biased here since I am a huge Jamison fan, but I am also an Allen fan. If the Celtics are looking at winning it this year it is a great deal. We'll keep ya posted.


***UPDATE***

"There is no truth to either one of those," Ainge said. "I have had conversations with a lot of teams but those have never been discussed. There are a lot of things I would like to do but I don't feel a need to do something. I am always looking to upgrade the team, if possible (Boston.com)."

But he did add...

"It will probably heat up next week," Ainge said.

McGrady To Finally Find A Way Out Of Houston?

I really do feel bad for McGrady. Well, as much as I can for a guy making the money he does, but it seems like all he wants to do is play ball. He might get his wish soon as the Wizards, Rockets, and Knicks are talking a 3 team deal. These teams have discussed a trade that would send McGrady to New York, Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to Houston, and Al Harrington to the Wizards.

I like this deal for Houston, because they are getting a lot in return for basically nothing. I have no idea why the Knicks would do this deal, because it really doesn't give them anymore cap relief, so unless they think McGrady has enough in the tank for a playoff push I really don't see any reason for them to jump on this.