bigricky3469
December-29th-2004, 09:43 AM
Wizards Report
By Brian A. Sereno, WashingtonWizards.com
December 28, 2004
Hughes and the Wizards practiced today at MCI Center heading into Wednesday's contest with the Pistons.
Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty Images
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A YEAR OF IMPROVEMENT: Washington’s 15-11 record marks a seven-game improvement from last season’s 8-18 start. The Wizards won their 15th game this season on December 27th in the team’s 26th game of the year. Washington did not win its 15th game last year until February 6th in the 48th game of the season. Off to their best start since the 1984-85 season, Washington’s next win will be their 16th of the season; a feat not accomplished last season until February 7th in the 49th game of the year.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: The Wizards will play six of their next seven games at MCI Center. The Wizards will host three games against Eastern Conference foes: Detroit (12/29), Atlanta (1/2) and New Jersey (1/4). Washington has a 11-6 record against the East, including a 7-2 mark at home. In addition, the Wizards have already notched road wins at Atlanta and at New Jersey this season. Washington will then host three Western Conference opponents: Seattle (1/6), Minnesota (1/8) and Portland (1/12), who will each make their lone visit to Washington in the month of January. (Wednesday night's game against the Pistons is sold out. Tickets for the remaining five games on the homestand and the rest of January are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets and can also be purchased online.)
WHO’S GOT NEXT?: Including Monday’s meeting with Charlotte, Washington is in the midst of a five game stretch exclusively against Eastern Conference foes. The Wizards began the stint with a win at MCI Center against the Bobcats, and have games against Detroit, at Boston, vs. Atlanta and vs. New Jersey through January 4th. Washington’s next four games come against opponents with a combined 40-64 (.385) record to date, with Detroit being the lone team with a winning record. Washington is 4-0 on the season against the next four opponents with a win each against Boston and Atlanta, and a pair of victories against the Nets.
AS JEFFRIES GOES, SO GO THE WIZARDS: When Jared Jeffries notched his tenth point of the game against Charlotte on Monday night, the Wizards had to like their chances for a win. While Jeffries finished with a career-high tying 15 points against the Bobcats, the Wizards improved to 6-0 this season when Jeffries scores at least ten points. The third-year forward is averaging a career-high 6.0 points per game for the Wizards this season.
STARTING IT OFF RIGHT: In the Wizards 106-87 win against Charlotte on December 27 all five Wizards starters scored in double-figures for the first time since December 10th versus New York, a span of eight games. In a game in which Washington connected at a .548 clip from the field, the Wizards starters were especially accurate. Arenas, Hughes, Jamison, Jeffries and Haywood combined to shoot 32-53 (.603) from the field in their 19th consecutive game as the starting five (12-7).
COACH KNOWS BEST: After Gilbert Arenas scored 17 points on 6-10 shooting from the field against Charlotte, and committed zero turnovers, Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan had the following to say about his team’s point guard. “It is a huge thing for us that he runs the show like a point guard should. In my book he is an All-Star. He is an All-Star guard for the Eastern Conference. Gil is just growing daily, day by day.” Jordan may be even more impressed with Arenas’ growth in his second year at the point for the Wizards with a look at the numbers.
Arenas in 04-05 Arenas in 03-04
Points Per Game 22.2 19.6
Minutes Per Game 39.0 37.6
Assists Per Game 5.2 5.0
Turnovers Per Game 3.0 4.1
Field Goal % .435 .392
3 pt. Field Goal % .382 .375
Free Throw % .824 .748
KEEPING GOOD COMPANY: The NBA’s triple-double leader board is an exclusive list this season, but Larry Hughes has joined the ranks. Hughes is one of just three players in the NBA (Kobe Bryant, Chris Webber) to record a triple-double this season. Additionally, Hughes is one of two players in the NBA that averages at least 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals. Cleveland’s MVP-candidate, LeBron James, is the other.
Hughes in 04-05 Previous Highs
Points Per Game 19.2 18.8 (2003-04)
Rebounds Per Game 6.0 5.5 (2000-01)
Assists Per Game 5.0 4.5 (2000-01)
Steals Per Game 2.8 1.9 (2000-01)
GOOD COMPANY – PART II: Hughes is not the only Wizard enjoying membership in an exclusive circle. Gilbert Arenas is one of ten players in the NBA that ranks in the Top 30 in both points per game and assists per game. Arenas’ 22.2 points per game rank 14th on the league’s scoring charts, while his 5.2 assists per contest rank 27th among NBA passers. Arenas joins Kobe Bryant, Steve Francis, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Stephon Marbury, Tracy McGrady, Dwyane Wade and Chris Webber as the league’s top double-threats.
BIG NUMBERS FOR THE BIG THREE: Twenty-five games into their reunion tour, Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Larry Hughes continue rank as the league’s highest scoring teammate trio. The Big Three have combined to average 62.3 points per game this season after averaging a combined 42.3 points per game as Warriors in 01-02. Arenas, Hughes and Jamison scored a season-high 92 points in the Wizards’ win in Los Angeles on December 17, 2004. The Big Three’s lowest single game output this season is 42 points (twice).
FULFILLING THE PROPHECY: Although Antawn Jamison averaged 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season in a reserve role in Dallas, Jamison was billed as a ‘20 and 10’ guy upon his arrival in DC. In his first quarter of a season as a Wizard, Jamison has been true to the word. Jamison has recorded 11 double-doubles in 25 games this season, and notched his 100th career double-double on November 6th against Miami in the Wizards’ home opener. Washington is 7-4 this season when Jamison tallies at least ten and ten.
Jamison’s Double-Doubles:
Points Rebounds Results
24 13 Loss vs. Miami 118-106 (11/6/04)
26 11 Win vs. Orlando 106-96 (11/10/04)
27 10 Win vs. Boston 110-105 OT (11/17/04)
28 13 Win vs. Toronto 102-86 (11/23/04)
28 13 Loss at Philadelphia 116-114 (OT) (11/26/04)
15 10 Win at Toronto 114-109 (OT) (11/28/04)
14 13 Win vs. Chicago 95-98 (12/04/04)
27 11 Loss vs. Denver 111-105 (12/08/04)
25 13 Win vs. New York 106-104 (12/10/04)
12 10 Loss at Miami 106-83 (12/13/04)
18 11 Win at Golden State 103-101 (12/20/04)
WHAT ABOUT BRENDAN?: Keeping with the trend, Brendan Haywood is another Wizard enjoying a career-year in 2004-05. Haywood ranks 10th in the league in offensive rebounds per game (3.3) and 9th in the NBA with 2.1 blocks per game. Haywood’s offensive rebounds and blocks are just two of the many statistical categories in which the fourth-year center is on pace to establish new career-highs.
Haywood in 04-05 Previous Highs
Points Per Game 9.6 7.0 (2003-04)
Rebounds Per Game 7.3 5.2 (2001-02)
Off. Rebs. Per Game 3.3 2.4 (2003-04)
Blocks Per Game 2.1 1.5 (2002-03)
Steals Per Game .91 .42 (2003-04)
Minutes Per Game 27.9 23.8 (2002-03)
Field Goal % .559 .515
RUFF STUFF: When Gilbert Arenas learned that he won the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Week Award for the week of Nov. 29-Dec. 5, Arenas said that if they gave the award based on hustle plays, Michael Ruffin would have received the honor. Ruffin has made a career out of making the hustle plays, and this season in particular, owns a stat line to prove it. Ruffin has more than three times as many rebounds (108) than he does points (32), and almost twice as many offensive rebounds (56) than field goal attempts (31). Along with Antawn Jamison and Jarvis Hayes, Ruffin is one of three Wizards to have appeared in every game thus far this season. Rugged Ruffin averages 5.8 offensive rebounds per 48 minutes (5th in the NBA) and commits a foul every 5.9 minutes.
GETTING DEFENSIVE: Washington held New Jersey to 68 points on December 1, and established a historic mark for the franchise. Washington’s defensive effort accounted for the third-fewest points scored in a game against the Wizards in franchise history. As an encore performance, the Wizards limited the visiting New Orleans Hornets to 69 points on December 12, just one point shy of tying their season-low mark. The Wizards are 9-1 this season when holding the opposition below 100 points. (Washington held Toronto to 60 points on November 7, 2003 and stifled Miami to the tune of 65 points on November 16, 2002.)
TURNOVER TURN-AROUND: Last season Washington committed a league-high 17.5 turnovers per game. In their second year in Eddie Jordan’s offense, the Wizards turnovers have been dramatically reduced. Washington committed a season-low six turnovers in the 120-116 overtime win in Los Angeles, and has been charged with just 14.8 turnovers per game thus far this season. The Wizards force 17.2 turnovers per game from the opposition (2nd in the NBA behind Charlotte), and lead the NBA with a -2.38 turnover differential.
THEY SAID IT
Jordan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan:
“We are probably a little bit ahead of where we thought we would be as far as our record is concerned. As coaches, we want to be cautious with our predictions, because we always know that a thunderbolt may hit with injuries or other matters. But things are going well for us. We’re competitive. We have matured as a team, and developed our skills individually. We know the offense and we know the defensive schemes. Now we just have to stay consistent and be competitive with the teams that are contenders. We’ll be a contender if we can do that.”
:cheers:
Now we just have to stay consistent and be competitive with the teams that are contenders. We’ll be a contender if we can do that.”
After reading this comment by Jordan it kinds of says it all. I made a statement in my last post on the thread Next five games that say almost the exact same thing that the coach did. It must be pretty obvious to everybody as well.
By Brian A. Sereno, WashingtonWizards.com
December 28, 2004
Hughes and the Wizards practiced today at MCI Center heading into Wednesday's contest with the Pistons.
Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty Images
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A YEAR OF IMPROVEMENT: Washington’s 15-11 record marks a seven-game improvement from last season’s 8-18 start. The Wizards won their 15th game this season on December 27th in the team’s 26th game of the year. Washington did not win its 15th game last year until February 6th in the 48th game of the season. Off to their best start since the 1984-85 season, Washington’s next win will be their 16th of the season; a feat not accomplished last season until February 7th in the 49th game of the year.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: The Wizards will play six of their next seven games at MCI Center. The Wizards will host three games against Eastern Conference foes: Detroit (12/29), Atlanta (1/2) and New Jersey (1/4). Washington has a 11-6 record against the East, including a 7-2 mark at home. In addition, the Wizards have already notched road wins at Atlanta and at New Jersey this season. Washington will then host three Western Conference opponents: Seattle (1/6), Minnesota (1/8) and Portland (1/12), who will each make their lone visit to Washington in the month of January. (Wednesday night's game against the Pistons is sold out. Tickets for the remaining five games on the homestand and the rest of January are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets and can also be purchased online.)
WHO’S GOT NEXT?: Including Monday’s meeting with Charlotte, Washington is in the midst of a five game stretch exclusively against Eastern Conference foes. The Wizards began the stint with a win at MCI Center against the Bobcats, and have games against Detroit, at Boston, vs. Atlanta and vs. New Jersey through January 4th. Washington’s next four games come against opponents with a combined 40-64 (.385) record to date, with Detroit being the lone team with a winning record. Washington is 4-0 on the season against the next four opponents with a win each against Boston and Atlanta, and a pair of victories against the Nets.
AS JEFFRIES GOES, SO GO THE WIZARDS: When Jared Jeffries notched his tenth point of the game against Charlotte on Monday night, the Wizards had to like their chances for a win. While Jeffries finished with a career-high tying 15 points against the Bobcats, the Wizards improved to 6-0 this season when Jeffries scores at least ten points. The third-year forward is averaging a career-high 6.0 points per game for the Wizards this season.
STARTING IT OFF RIGHT: In the Wizards 106-87 win against Charlotte on December 27 all five Wizards starters scored in double-figures for the first time since December 10th versus New York, a span of eight games. In a game in which Washington connected at a .548 clip from the field, the Wizards starters were especially accurate. Arenas, Hughes, Jamison, Jeffries and Haywood combined to shoot 32-53 (.603) from the field in their 19th consecutive game as the starting five (12-7).
COACH KNOWS BEST: After Gilbert Arenas scored 17 points on 6-10 shooting from the field against Charlotte, and committed zero turnovers, Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan had the following to say about his team’s point guard. “It is a huge thing for us that he runs the show like a point guard should. In my book he is an All-Star. He is an All-Star guard for the Eastern Conference. Gil is just growing daily, day by day.” Jordan may be even more impressed with Arenas’ growth in his second year at the point for the Wizards with a look at the numbers.
Arenas in 04-05 Arenas in 03-04
Points Per Game 22.2 19.6
Minutes Per Game 39.0 37.6
Assists Per Game 5.2 5.0
Turnovers Per Game 3.0 4.1
Field Goal % .435 .392
3 pt. Field Goal % .382 .375
Free Throw % .824 .748
KEEPING GOOD COMPANY: The NBA’s triple-double leader board is an exclusive list this season, but Larry Hughes has joined the ranks. Hughes is one of just three players in the NBA (Kobe Bryant, Chris Webber) to record a triple-double this season. Additionally, Hughes is one of two players in the NBA that averages at least 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals. Cleveland’s MVP-candidate, LeBron James, is the other.
Hughes in 04-05 Previous Highs
Points Per Game 19.2 18.8 (2003-04)
Rebounds Per Game 6.0 5.5 (2000-01)
Assists Per Game 5.0 4.5 (2000-01)
Steals Per Game 2.8 1.9 (2000-01)
GOOD COMPANY – PART II: Hughes is not the only Wizard enjoying membership in an exclusive circle. Gilbert Arenas is one of ten players in the NBA that ranks in the Top 30 in both points per game and assists per game. Arenas’ 22.2 points per game rank 14th on the league’s scoring charts, while his 5.2 assists per contest rank 27th among NBA passers. Arenas joins Kobe Bryant, Steve Francis, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Stephon Marbury, Tracy McGrady, Dwyane Wade and Chris Webber as the league’s top double-threats.
BIG NUMBERS FOR THE BIG THREE: Twenty-five games into their reunion tour, Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Larry Hughes continue rank as the league’s highest scoring teammate trio. The Big Three have combined to average 62.3 points per game this season after averaging a combined 42.3 points per game as Warriors in 01-02. Arenas, Hughes and Jamison scored a season-high 92 points in the Wizards’ win in Los Angeles on December 17, 2004. The Big Three’s lowest single game output this season is 42 points (twice).
FULFILLING THE PROPHECY: Although Antawn Jamison averaged 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season in a reserve role in Dallas, Jamison was billed as a ‘20 and 10’ guy upon his arrival in DC. In his first quarter of a season as a Wizard, Jamison has been true to the word. Jamison has recorded 11 double-doubles in 25 games this season, and notched his 100th career double-double on November 6th against Miami in the Wizards’ home opener. Washington is 7-4 this season when Jamison tallies at least ten and ten.
Jamison’s Double-Doubles:
Points Rebounds Results
24 13 Loss vs. Miami 118-106 (11/6/04)
26 11 Win vs. Orlando 106-96 (11/10/04)
27 10 Win vs. Boston 110-105 OT (11/17/04)
28 13 Win vs. Toronto 102-86 (11/23/04)
28 13 Loss at Philadelphia 116-114 (OT) (11/26/04)
15 10 Win at Toronto 114-109 (OT) (11/28/04)
14 13 Win vs. Chicago 95-98 (12/04/04)
27 11 Loss vs. Denver 111-105 (12/08/04)
25 13 Win vs. New York 106-104 (12/10/04)
12 10 Loss at Miami 106-83 (12/13/04)
18 11 Win at Golden State 103-101 (12/20/04)
WHAT ABOUT BRENDAN?: Keeping with the trend, Brendan Haywood is another Wizard enjoying a career-year in 2004-05. Haywood ranks 10th in the league in offensive rebounds per game (3.3) and 9th in the NBA with 2.1 blocks per game. Haywood’s offensive rebounds and blocks are just two of the many statistical categories in which the fourth-year center is on pace to establish new career-highs.
Haywood in 04-05 Previous Highs
Points Per Game 9.6 7.0 (2003-04)
Rebounds Per Game 7.3 5.2 (2001-02)
Off. Rebs. Per Game 3.3 2.4 (2003-04)
Blocks Per Game 2.1 1.5 (2002-03)
Steals Per Game .91 .42 (2003-04)
Minutes Per Game 27.9 23.8 (2002-03)
Field Goal % .559 .515
RUFF STUFF: When Gilbert Arenas learned that he won the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Week Award for the week of Nov. 29-Dec. 5, Arenas said that if they gave the award based on hustle plays, Michael Ruffin would have received the honor. Ruffin has made a career out of making the hustle plays, and this season in particular, owns a stat line to prove it. Ruffin has more than three times as many rebounds (108) than he does points (32), and almost twice as many offensive rebounds (56) than field goal attempts (31). Along with Antawn Jamison and Jarvis Hayes, Ruffin is one of three Wizards to have appeared in every game thus far this season. Rugged Ruffin averages 5.8 offensive rebounds per 48 minutes (5th in the NBA) and commits a foul every 5.9 minutes.
GETTING DEFENSIVE: Washington held New Jersey to 68 points on December 1, and established a historic mark for the franchise. Washington’s defensive effort accounted for the third-fewest points scored in a game against the Wizards in franchise history. As an encore performance, the Wizards limited the visiting New Orleans Hornets to 69 points on December 12, just one point shy of tying their season-low mark. The Wizards are 9-1 this season when holding the opposition below 100 points. (Washington held Toronto to 60 points on November 7, 2003 and stifled Miami to the tune of 65 points on November 16, 2002.)
TURNOVER TURN-AROUND: Last season Washington committed a league-high 17.5 turnovers per game. In their second year in Eddie Jordan’s offense, the Wizards turnovers have been dramatically reduced. Washington committed a season-low six turnovers in the 120-116 overtime win in Los Angeles, and has been charged with just 14.8 turnovers per game thus far this season. The Wizards force 17.2 turnovers per game from the opposition (2nd in the NBA behind Charlotte), and lead the NBA with a -2.38 turnover differential.
THEY SAID IT
Jordan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan:
“We are probably a little bit ahead of where we thought we would be as far as our record is concerned. As coaches, we want to be cautious with our predictions, because we always know that a thunderbolt may hit with injuries or other matters. But things are going well for us. We’re competitive. We have matured as a team, and developed our skills individually. We know the offense and we know the defensive schemes. Now we just have to stay consistent and be competitive with the teams that are contenders. We’ll be a contender if we can do that.”
:cheers:
Now we just have to stay consistent and be competitive with the teams that are contenders. We’ll be a contender if we can do that.”
After reading this comment by Jordan it kinds of says it all. I made a statement in my last post on the thread Next five games that say almost the exact same thing that the coach did. It must be pretty obvious to everybody as well.