The next five GAMES

[bigricky3469]

The Wiz/Bullets to some are about to play what I consider the most important strech of this short season. The next five games against Philly, Toronto, NJ, ATL, and Chicago. These teams have a combine record of 16-39 thus considering the way we've been playing most would think that these are games we should win going away, right!!! But these are still the Wizards and after only ten games played in the season I'm not sure that I'm fully convinced that they can focus and win the games that they are suppose to win.

What I'm saying is that this could be a huge learning curve for this still very young team. These next five games could make the different between chance and true confidence. We are still on shakey grounds and still no one knows what the real direction of this team is. Lets forget the 3 game win streak lets put behind that is been too long to remember when was the last time this franchise won 8 games in a row. But if they can win these next five games against these teams with a combine record of 16-39 it will go along way to establishing respect around the league but most importantly it will go along way to establish some pride and confidence amounst the players on this team.

The most important strech of the season start now!!!!

[laurent]

The next three will be key. We should realistically be able to go 3-0 against New Jersey, Atlanta and the Horribulls. After that we play Denver and New York at home neither of which has been setting things on fire lately.

[Buford]

2-1 in the next 3 will be a big deal. Just keep adding a few games above .500 and we'll be fine.

[Gamebreaker]

I expect us to win our next 5 actually. I honestly don't see a team coming up that has performed to the level the Wiz have.

[Zen-like Todd]

Well, to be honest, the Wizards really need to virtually sweep the next five opponents. The back half of December looks very very nasty. I'm really hoping we can get Kwame back by the time we double up against Miami. Even if he doesnt have his full game back, his newly added bulk, positional defense skills, and 6 additional fouls would all come in terribly handy against Miami.


Dec 1 vs New Jersey 7:00 pm YES,
Dec 3 at Atlanta 7:30 pm CSNB,
Dec 4 vs Chicago 8:00 pm WGN,
Dec 8 vs Denver 7:00 pm ALT,
Dec 10 vs New York 7:00 pm MSG,
Dec 12 vs New Orleans 1:00 pm
Dec 13 at Miami 7:30 pm NC8,
Dec 15 vs Miami 7:00 pm SUNS,
Dec 17 at LA Lakers 10:30 pm
Dec 18 at Phoenix 9:00 pm WBDC,
Dec 20 at Golden State 10:30 pm
Dec 21 at Sacramento 10:00 pm
Dec 26 at Minnesota 8:00 pm NC8,
Dec 27 vs Charlotte 7:00 pm CSET,
Dec 29 vs Detroit 7:00 pm WDWB,
Dec 31 at Boston 3:00 pm CSNB,

[bigricky3469]

The bottom line is we have to win these games that we are suppose to win. I really don't care how we win them OT or in regulation but I would like to see us start dominating some of these willful oponents...i.e. New Jersey, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans. These should be easy victorys for us but instead of playing up to the team we play down and have to struggle in what didn't have to be a close game. I might be asking for too mouch from them too soon. What do you guys think.

[Skinned]

Originally posted by bigricky3469
The bottom line is we have to win these games that we are suppose to win. I really don't care how we win them OT or in regulation but I would like to see us start dominating some of these willful oponents...i.e. New Jersey, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans. These should be easy victorys for us but instead of playing up to the team we play down and have to struggle in what didn't have to be a close game. I might be asking for too mouch from them too soon. What do you guys think.

This has been the Wizards downfall for many seasons: not being able to win the games that you are supposed to win. This years team is playing with the attitude that they are the better team. After seeing the Toronto game, I am starting to believe it myself.

As for Kwame, as long as he buys into the current team philosophy and tries to add some solid defense, I think he will be a big help. If he comes in and tries to be one of the main scorers, he will struggle. He needs to have the points find him, via Hughes, Arenas, and Jamison's playmaking. We need the attention given to the big 3 payoff and create opportunities for our offensively-capable big men (currently Haywood and Brown are the only 2 who fill this description).

[hands11]

Fri 26 @ Philadelphia L 114 - 116 OT 6-5 A. Jamison 27
Sun 28 @ Toronto W 114 - 109 OT 7-5 L. Hughes 33
Wed 1 New Jersey W 95 - 68 8-5 G. Arenas 30
Fri 3 @ Atlanta W 114 - 90 9-5 L. Hughes 19
Sat 4 Chicago W 95 - 88 10-5 G. Arenas 34


Well here we are 5 games later. They have done great.
They look like they are for real. Gil was my consern and he has adapted his game quicker then I expected. I am very please with what he has done. He is playing PG first, and waiting to see what the team needs in each game, then delivering.

We only lost one game and it was by 2 in overtime. I'll take that anyday considering our sorted past. I'm glad our GM kept these guys together and didn't change the whole team again in the off season. Now comes the hard part.

We are 10-5, what will our record be at the end of December ?
We havent really won against to a lot of good teams yet but have betten the teams we should.

We lost to Cleveland, Maimi twice*, Dallas, and the Sixer by 2 in OT. So we have won the games against down (NJ) or bad teams ( Atlanta )and lost to the good ones ( Dallas ).

Now that we have some confidence and have gelled some, lets see what we can do against some good teams, one the road. This will be an interesting test. Here is my guess, being hopeful and conservative.


Wed 8 Denver 7:00pm Beat Minnesota,Detroit,Dallas @ Houston and Miami ( if we win this one, it will be a huge. We get a great start but this is a tough game for us. ) Loss 10-6

Fri 10 New York 7:00pm Beat @ Houston, Cleveland ( I think we can take them at home ) Win 11-6

Sun 12 New Orleans 1:00pm ( 1-15 we take this one ) win 12-6

Mon 13 @ Miami 7:30pm
Wed 15 Miami 7:00pm
Skaq and Wade. Will we be ready this time? Kwame is playing some minutes, that will help. *Last time we played, the first game we didnt even have Haywood, the second game was his first game back. We had no size to match Shaq, now we do. Miami is playing just ok, we may be able to take both but I expect us to at least split 13-7. This would be a momenum breaker if we loss both. We cant let this happen no matter what.

Its hard to guess past 5 games, but if this is our record at this point, we are playing well. If we are a little lucky, we win all 5 and we are now on a total roll, having gone 8-0 with a record of 15-5 heading out west. This would soooo excellent and it is possible. Lets say we are 13-7 though.


Fri 17 @ L.A. Lakers 10:30pm win 14-7
Sat 18 @ Phoenix 9:00pm Loss 14-8
Mon 20 @ Golden State 10:30pm Win 15-8
Tue 21 @ Sacramento 10:00pm Loss 15-9
Sun 26 @ Minnesota 8:00pm Loss 15-10
Mon 27 Charlotte 7:00pm win 16-10 this record = .615%

This would be a good/great record having gotten our first west coast swing out of the way. If we beat Denver and Miami (twice) we could end up 18-8 .692% which would just be excellent. That's better then out current .667%. We would probably still be leading the conference and we would have a ton of confidence. So I will watch extra close to see what we do against Denver and Miami. These games could be the different in us leading the confernce at this point and feeling like Kings, or being the 4-5 seed, which is good, but nothing like being the Kings.

Now Im guessing way far out. It will depend on how we have done so far. I would really hope Kwame would be back in form and we have Etan playing by now so we are ready to beat Detriot. If we are the conference leaders at this point and bet Detroit then have a tough game at Boston but we take the chumps becuase we rock.
Wed 29 Detroit 7:00pm
Fri 31 @ Boston 3:00pm

So in my dream world we could be 20-8 and everyone is saying, Who doz Wiz. We are the talk of the town. The fat lady comes out of the closet and start warming up her pipes.

There it is. I put it in writting. Lets see how I did at the end of the month.

Dare to be brave, put it in writting. Lets see who guesses are the closest.

Limited Liability Disclaimer This is given, no one major gets hurt, and we dont get attacked by terrorist, and there is no super nova, oh, and Bush doesnt attack Russia or inact another tax cut.

[hands11]

(Wed 8 Denver 7:00pm Beat Minnesota,Detroit,Dallas @ Houston and Miami ( if we win this one, it will be a huge. We get a great start but this is a tough game for us. ) Loss 10-6

Fri 10 New York 7:00pm Beat @ Houston, Cleveland ( I think we can take them at home ) Win 11-6

Sun 12 New Orleans 1:00pm ( 1-15 we take this one ) win 12-6

Mon 13 @ Miami 7:30pm
Wed 15 Miami 7:00pm
Skaq and Wade. Will we be ready this time? Kwame is playing some minutes, that will help. *Last time we played, the first game we didnt even have Haywood, the second game was his first game back. We had no size to match Shaq, now we do. Miami is playing just ok, we may be able to take both but I expect us to at least split 13-7. This would be a momenum breaker if we loss both. We cant let this happen no matter what.)


Ok, so far things have happened as expected, except for the Kwame thing.

Now we go beat New Orleans. I hope we get up on them and Kwame gets plenty of minutes so he can get back in the grove somemore. This would be great if he can, so he is more ready for the Miami games where we are going to need him.

[Nighthawk]

At the 10-5 mark with 13 games left before the end of the year I would be happy to see the Wizards win 7 0f 13 heading into the New Year.

The Wiz would be 17-11 and looking good.

They've split the past two games to move to 11-6.

The further this teams gets into the season the better they're going to get. This teams has won games this year that they would have lost in the past. They're beating the teams they're supposed to beat and will surprise some teams they're supposed to lose to.

The Hawks beat the Pistons tonight so I know the Wizards can beat them as well. We need to beat the Heat in one of the two contests coming up to prove a point.

[hands11]

Originally posted by Nighthawk
At the 10-5 mark with 13 games left before the end of the year I would be happy to see the Wizards win 7 0f 13 heading into the New Year.

The Wiz would be 17-11 and looking good.

They've split the past two games to move to 11-6.

The further this teams gets into the season the better they're going to get. This teams has won games this year that they would have lost in the past. They're beating the teams they're supposed to beat and will surprise some teams they're supposed to lose to.

The Hawks beat the Pistons tonight so I know the Wizards can beat them as well. We need to beat the Heat in one of the two contests coming up to prove a point.

So how are you getting to 17-11 ? What games do we win and which do we loose ? It seems you are agreeing with my pedictions and comments on how we get there and adding the 2 remaining games as a split ?

You are saying we win 7 of 13 or a record of 7-6, I only took it as far as 6 of 11, or a record of 6-5.

I would be interesting in seeing how you come up with the 7 wins, 6 loss record. I only projected games to get them to 16-10 because I didnt include the last 2 games against Detriot and Boston. These games where just to far down the road and who knows how Detriot will be playing or how far along Kwame, Haywood and Etan have come.

I think we will need more then Haywood and Ruffin to handle Shaq. We need an effective Kwame also. Kwame at 50%-70% along with an effective Haywood should be enough to win both or split with Miami. Again, my projection assume a split.

[Nighthawk]

Well, let's see. How did I get to 7 wins.

I had us beating New York, New Orleans, splitting with Miami, LA, Golden State, Charlotte and Boston.

I believe we also have a shot against Detroit.

The Lakers are the first game of our West Coast trip and I think with all the turmoil that Kobe is creating they can be had for the taking.

I also believe we can split with Miami. They beat us the first two games but that was eons ago. After these two games we won't play Miami again this season unless we see them in the playoffs.
This team has gained confidence since those first two games.

Of course, none of this is rocket science, just pure speculation. If we can finish the year at 17-11, then the Wizards would only have to average 7 wins a month for the rest of the year to be in the playoffs.

This team is only going to get better, especially if and when Etan gets back.

[hands11]

Ok, That was what I had posted as the games we win.

""""Ok, so far things have happened as expected, except for the Kwame thing.

Now we go beat New Orleans. I hope we get up on them and Kwame gets plenty of minutes so he can get back in the grove somemore. This would be great if he can, so he is more ready for the Miami games where we are going to need him."""""

Ok, this is good. We won in NO and Kwame got 20 Min 3-5, 4 rebounds.

He come back for the Miami game with 22 min 6-9 16pts, 4 rebounds while playing in foul trouble against a monterous Shaq who was allowed to just run over our guys.

Kwame looked in decent shape and played as well as could be expected against Shaq under those condictions. I though he could have played more but Im sure Jordan is monitoring his minutes and easing him back into the game both for himself and so his teamates can adjust. Plus he was in foul trouble.

I would be a little surprised to see him take another leap so soon but it would be great to see 25 min 20 pts 6-7 rebounds or more. I wouldnt be surprised if the next progress he makes in more rebounds. Maybe a game like 25 min 16 pts 8-9 rebounds. Its all going to depend on if we can get Shaq on the bench in foul trouble. Shaq just clogs the middle.

We are doing fine so far. We have won the ones I thought we would and now it's time to take Miami at home. I sure hope Jordan makes the adjustments I have suggested.

I want to see Ramos activated for 6 more big man fouls against Shaq plus the extra height so he actually has to play someone taller then him. Haywood and Kwame starting up front with Jamison at the 3 with Hughes and Gil. I know this is hard for Jordan to do because it will change his rotation which could make everyone adjust but, we arent beating Miami the way we have been doing it. They are going to eventually play this line at anyway, they may as well try it out now.

[hands11]

OK, we are still on track.

We split these 2 games with Miami. Only the refs didnt make it official.

Now we go to LA and take that game. I hope the refs are only half as bad as they were tonight. This will be an evenly matched game. We can win it if we are on our game like tonight.

I still didnt see Kwame and Haywood on the floor together.
It shouldnt be needed against LA. They dont have Shaq.
LA has issues. Kobe is a nut.

Hayes has to pick it up. He has had a couple a bad games.
3-11 tonight
2-11 against the Hornets

Anyway, leaving the Charlotte game we should be 15-11 .577%
Not what I wanted. We should be 16-10 .615%

One game really changes your % this early in the season.

Fri 17 @ L.A. Lakers 10:30pm win 13-8
Sat 18 @ Phoenix 9:00pm Loss 13-9
Mon 20 @ Golden State 10:30pm Win 14-9
Tue 21 @ Sacramento 10:00pm Loss 14-10
Sun 26 @ Minnesota 8:00pm Loss 14-11
Mon 27 Charlotte 7:00pm win 15-11 this record = .577%

It will be tough to steal one in Phoenix, Sac or Minn. Maybe we can take the Detriot game. If we do, we will also beat Boston, that gets us back to 17-11 .607
if we loss Detriot we are 16-12 .571

.607 feels a lot better the .571 Its a mental thing.

[hands11]

Ok, we took LA as I predicted/hoped :) This was a great win for us. 13-8

Now we are off to Pheonix 20-3.
Not likely we take this one. They just beat Seattle 18-5
Im sure Jordan will present the challenge.

This should be a good measuring stick. Maybe Jordan will tell them. If you beat Pheonix on the road, you get the respect from the refs and your whole season will be easier.

The important thing is we come out of the game healthy and ready to beat GS. This one game isnt that important in the big picture.


We are still missing a strong post presents, but Gil and Hughes driving so much makes up for this some. I think we need Etan more then Kwame at this point. Etan know his game better. He comes at you 100% all the time and knows his post moves and lovvvves to rattle the rim.

[hands11]

Fri 17 @ L.A. Lakers 10:30pm win 14-7 ( check )
Sat 18 @ Phoenix 9:00pm Loss 14-8 ( check )
Mon 20 @ Golden State 10:30pm Win 15-8 ( check )
Tue 21 @ Sacramento 10:00pm Loss 15-9 ( check )
Sun 26 @ Minnesota 8:00pm Loss 15-10
Mon 27 Charlotte 7:00pm win 16-10 this record = .615%

Still on course. We are rested. I hope we can take MN even though I predicted a loss.


Tue 7 Dallas L 87 - 97 11-6 K. Garnett 32 K. Garnett 12
Wed 8 @ Philadelphia W 119 - 84 12-6 E. Griffin 27 E. Griffin 11
Fri 10 Sacramento W 113 - 105 13-6 K. Garnett 35 K. Garnett 18
Sat 11 @ Chicago L 88 - 99 13-7 S. Cassell 17 K. Garnett 21
Tue 14 Portland W 100 - 89 14-7 W. Szczerbiak 28 K. Garnett 19
Wed 15 @ Toronto L 90 - 96 14-8 K. Garnett 23 K. Garnett 15
Fri 17 Clippers W 113 - 86 15-8 W. Szczerbiak 29 K. Garnett 10
Tue 21 @ Cleveland L 97 - 107 15-9 K. Garnett 26 K. Garnett 13
Thu 23 @ San Antonio L 82 - 96

They are on a 2 game lossing streak and lost to Toronto and Chicago. So they 4 losses in 6 games but all the losses where on the road. They are 7-3 at home, only lossing to Indiana by 1, Seattle, and Dallas.

This is tough but doable. They should be hungry and happy to be back home.

[Bugs']

We will be hard-pressed to beat Minn. on their home court but you never know it can be done, that's why they play the games...and Charlotte is a team we should beat, especially at home...I think we had a very successfull West Coast trip and we should be very encouraged...as long as we continue to beat the teams we are supposed to beat and steal a win against the tougher teams here and there we are going to be in good shape...I wonder if we will see Stevie play tomorrow? :whoknows:

[hands11]

Originally posted by Bugs'
We will be hard-pressed to beat Minn. on their home court but you never know it can be done, that's why they play the games...and Charlotte is a team we should beat, especially at home...I think we had a very successfull West Coast trip and we should be very encouraged...as long as we continue to beat the teams we are supposed to beat and steal a win against the tougher teams here and there we are going to be in good shape...I wonder if we will see Stevie play tomorrow? :whoknows:

I hope we do. Do you think it's more likely you bring him back while your away or wait till you play at home. I think the logic is play them while your away becuase thier isnt as much pressure.
I hope they get him 8-10 min.

[Bugs']

Originally posted by hands11


I hope we do. Do you think it's more likely you bring him back while your away or wait till you play at home. I think the logic is play them while your away becuase thier isnt as much pressure.
I hope they get him 8-10 min.

I think that is good logic..play him first on the road if you can to lessen the pressure...but Stevie is so well liked at home he will get an emotional lift from the crowd if he played here...either way, get him in!

[hands11]

Fri 17 @ L.A. Lakers 10:30pm win 13-8
Sat 18 @ Phoenix 9:00pm Loss 13-9
Mon 20 @ Golden State 10:30pm Win 14-9
Tue 21 @ Sacramento 10:00pm Loss 14-10
Sun 26 @ Minnesota 8:00pm Loss 14-11
Mon 27 Charlotte 7:00pm win 15-11 this record = .577%

It will be tough to steal one in Phoenix, Sac or Minn. Maybe we can take the Detriot game. If we do, we will also beat Boston, that gets us back to 17-11 .607
if we loss Detriot we are 16-12 .571

.607 feels a lot better the .571 Its a mental thing.

-------------------
Dame Im good. I should start putting some money on these games.

Ok, this next game is a big one. I may go and see it and watch both Wizard teams play.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/powerranking?season=2005&week=8

Detriot is still ranked ahead of up in the power polls. They are only one game behind us but they have been through a lot this year. They probably would have won a few more games and had a better record then us.

THIS IS A STATEMENT GAME. WE HAVE TO COME OUT AND BEAT THESE GUYS.

[bigricky3469]

HANDS man you have been on it, dam good run for you man but let’s keep this 5 games out post rolling wow!!!!!!

After the crazy road trip which I’m very proud of my wiz (even though we had that lay down game against Minnesota) we came out that trip 2-2 well actually 2-3 if you consider Minny apart of our west coast trip but that’s very good when you consider what we have been doing out west for the past upteen years. Plus we didn't walk around with our heads down and get tripped up by Charlotte which goes to show that we can and will beat the teams that we are suppose to beat but what happens in these statement games is a team showing that they are not quite ready to take the next step. I truly believe it has everything to do with confidence and maturity than anything else, that’s why we lose to Phoenix and Sacramento in the forth quarter.

Well we have another five game stretch that we could actually go 5-0 on but in those games is two statement games and that’s against Detroit tonight and Seattle on Jan 6th. These games would go a long way in establishing that confident that I was talking about. It could and should go along ways toward feeling that we can not only compete with the top teams but beat some of them plus we got both of them at home. We have to start letting every team in this league know that the Wizards will protect their home floor.

With that said here’s a look at the next five with my predictions:

Detroit at Wash: Detroit wins this, I know I said a lot of things about protecting home floor but for some reason we are just not as ready as we should be for these guys. We need more maturity/confidence and when that comes we will be dangerous.

Wash at Boston: It will be a good game but it’s a game we most win and will win Wash wins.

Atlanta at Wash: I'm not going to say this will be easy but we should be able to handle them even if we don’t play well. Wash wins.

NJ at Wash: This is one of those games that if we don’t bring it, it will get brought to us. Vince is having fun again and Kid loves give him the ball, but I really think we have these guys number this year so with that Wash wins.

Seattle at Wash: This is our statement game I’m still not all that sold on the Supersonics (what kind of name is that I’m still mad that they beat us 4-0 in the "79 championships). We will get them and not just because they are tired but because we will be the better team that night. Wash wins

4-1 is my prediction but always remember that if we can win every three out of five games that’s a .600 winning percentage and that will always get you in the playoffs ;)

[Nighthawk]

After tonight and Friday nights win, the Wizards will be 17-11.

With the way the Wizards are playing this year, they project to finish with 45 to 47 wins this year.

Looking at the rest of the schedule, there's no reason they shouldn't average 7 wins a month for the next four months if there are no injuries to our starting 5.

7 wins a month gives them 45 wins for the year. I don't think this is beyond the realm of possibility.

[hands11]

IM GOING TO DISNEY LAND.

Well, not really.

But Im going to the Wiz vs Detroit Game tonight.

Sweet sets. I havent seen a game in a while.

I'll be screeming for them to take this one.

This would be a great win.

Im pumped.

[hands11]

As for predicting the next 5 games.

I don't think I can do that until after this Detroit game.

This game is the messuring stick. If they win, it will prove a lot.
Mostly to themselves. Yes, much of it is mental at this point.

BUT,

It's also hard to project 5 games out at this point becuase they
are adding new players to the mix.

Blake only has a few games under his belt. It depends on what Jordan does with the rotation and how much Blake can add. Personally, I think he can add a lot. He makes other players better. I think he makes Dixon, Hayes and Kwame better the most.

Hayes is hurt but playing. What will Jordan do here? I have made my suggestions. Sit him.

Etan coming back in early Jan. Will he be ready? Once he plays a few games, will he be able to continue? If we get him back and with 8-10 games under his belt, it will be easier to project. Im guess Jordan will just insert him at Center instead of Ruffin.

Kwame. Is he hurt ? Will he play ? When ? Again, I think Kwame plays better with Blake at PG.

Until we have some of these things ansered, I just can't accurately predict the games like I just did. It depends on how Jordan plays them and who is ready to go and when.

Knowing what we know. We have Gil, Hughes, Jamison and improving players like Jefferies, Haywood and Blake.

We should be as good as we have been and marginally better.
5-10% better right now but just having these players doing what they do and continuing to grow over the next 2 weeks. 5-15% better. Blake will have the biggest impact because he makes others better.

Next 5 Games.

Detriot has the edge but we can win.

Boston and Atlanta. We should beat .

New Jersey will also be tough. We don't know what kind of team they will be yet.

Seattle, I don't think we are ready.

So, we have a better then average chance at 2 games.
An Average chance at 2 games
and one game we would most likely loss.

This is a transition period for us. We just need to stay 500% or better while we are making it. Once we mix the peices, we will be ready for the next leap/run.

I would guess/hope we beat Detriot, Boston, Atlanta, NJ, and loss to Seattle. 4-1

If we loose one of the 2 games, Detriot or NJ we are 3-2. This would still be a great success.

Even if we loss both we are 2-3 which wouldnt be bad as long as we are gelling with our new players and learning something about the new mix. MAKE PROGRESS.

[hands11]

If we loose one of the 2 games, Detriot or NJ we are 3-2. This would still be a great success.

Even if we loss both we are 2-3 which wouldnt be bad as long as we are gelling with our new players and learning something about the new mix. MAKE PROGRESS.

-------
Look like the next game is a big one. I want to get to the 3-2 projection over this stetch. We should have beaten Boston, only we didnt have Gil. so 3-2 would have been in the bag and we would be hoping for the the best senerio which was 4-1. 3-2 will have to do. I viewed this as a great success.


Wed 29 Detroit L 105 - 107 ( should have won )
Fri 31 @ Boston L 103 - 108 ( no Gil, usually would have one )
Sun 2 Atlanta W 104 - 101 ( lucky to pull it out )
Tue 4 New Jersey W 112 - 88 ( blow out against a good team )
Thu 6 Seattle

We are 17-13 going into the Seattle game. That looks really nice.
We could easily be a lot better. We really won that last Miami game and the Detroit games except the refs sucked 19-11. We would usually have won against Boston if we had Gil 20-10.

Hey, this team is already very good. Now add an improved Jefferies, and Haywood and a healthy Hayes. Now add Etan.
What would the record be then.....You would have to say at least 3 more games. 23-7

If we can find and answer for Shaq ( Haywood, Etan, Kwame and Ruffin, and possible Ramos), we may well be the best team in the conference by end of the season. We have the players on the team to do it.

We still haven't proven we can beat a big good team, but most of them are in the West. I think we will get there. By Mid Jan we will be doing this.

Seattle just beat Miami. They can beat a big good team. They will be on a back to back at the end of a 5 game road trip. This would be a great time to JUMP THEM. You don't get it any better then this. At home.

They are a big, young, strong team.
http://www.nba.com/sonics/roster/

We could really use a healthy Etan for a game like this.
We can win this. We are coming off a great game.

[hands11]

Here is the remainder of the season so we can cut and paste.
We have a rough line up over the next 7 games.

4 real tough and 1 tough games. It would be great if we can play better then 500% ball over this stretch while continuing to improve Haywood, Jefferies and Hayes. Etan may be back before this is over. We can really only count of 2-5 but 4-3 is possible.

Thu 6 Seattle 0.793 ( real tough, ending 5 game road trip)
Sat 8 Minnesota 0.552 ( can be had, tough )
Wed 12 Portland 0.483 ( win )
Fri 14 @ Milwaukee 0.321 ( win )
Sat 15 Phoenix 0.871 (real tough)
Mon 17 @ San Antonio 0.788 (real tough)
Tue 18 @ Dallas 0.667 (real tough, back to back)

Fri 21 Toronto
Sat 22 @ Indiana
Mon 24 @ Cleveland
Wed 26 Philadelphia
Fri 28 @ Orlando
Sat 29 Orlando

4-2 Guess as of now. I want to see at little more first. Will we have Etan, Kwame, etc. 6-7 over this total stetch is very doable. Thats fine while we gel. The sch gets easier in Fed and much easier in March where it looks like we should be able to really get on a roll and start winning a lot of games and getting on some long winning streaks.

Feb Opponent Time* Local TV National TV Radio
Tue 1 Detroit
Fri 4 @ Toronto
Sat 5 Milwaukee
Mon 7 Indiana
Wed 9 San Antonio
Fri 11 L.A. Clippers
Sat 12 @ Detroit
Mon 14 @ New Orleans
Tue 15 @ Houston
Wed 23 Memphis
Fri 25 @ Chicago
Sun 27 Sacramento

Mar Opponent Time* Local TV National TV Radio
Wed 2 Houston
Fri 4 Golden State
Sat 5 @ Charlotte
Tue 8 @ New York
Sun 13 @ Boston
Mon 14 L.A. Lakers
Wed 16 @ Atlanta
Fri 18 @ Milwaukee
Sat 19 Utah
Tue 22 @ Denver
Thu 24 @ Utah
Fri 25 @ L.A. Clippers
Sun 27 @ Seattle
Mon 28 @ Portland
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Apr Opponent Time* Local TV National TV Radio
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Sun 3 Indiana
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Wed 6 @ Detroit
Fri 8 @ Indiana
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Mon 11 Milwaukee
Wed 13 Chicago
Fri 15 Cleveland
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Tue 19 @ New Jersey
Wed 20 @ New York

Anyone see a possible 50-55 wins in here ?

[bigricky3469]

Quote:
"Anyone see a possible 50-55 wins in here?"

Not no but HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hands11]

Originally posted by bigricky3469
Quote:
"Anyone see a possible 50-55 wins in here?"

Not no but HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Dude, are you just tring to get your next avator ?

How about putting some explaining behind your strong view.

50-55 would be if a lot of things go our way, granted, but it is doable. If we dont have a major injury. If we continue to develop in the direct we already are.

Hey, in as many games as we have played, we had to gel as much as we already have and along the way we still have
beaten 16 teams and lost to only 10.

We should have beaten Miami at least once so that would be
17-10 and the last Boston game was a aberation. 18-9. And Detroit, what can I say about that one. Refs. The ref situation is already starting to change and will get better as the year goes on. 19-8
Now here are the games that remain. Miami, Cleveland, Phoenix, Sac, MN all on the road. A winable one the road against Phili then there was one to Denver and one to Dallas. Hmmmm. Now how many times to we play any of these teams moving forward after this 7 games stretch we have. Look at the schedule. Add up the wins. Who do you have beating us. We are only going to get better.


Miami L 106 - 118
@ Miami L 93 - 103
@ Miami L 83 - 106


@ Cleveland L 74 - 105
Dallas L 113 - 122
@ Philadelphia L 114 - 116 OT
Denver L 105 - 111 10-6


@ Phoenix L 96 - 110
@ Sacramento L 93 - 104
@ Minnesota L 74 - 109

[hands11]

Thu 6 Seattle 0.793 ( real tough, ending 5 game road trip) WON
Sat 8 Minnesota 0.552 ( can be had, tough ) WON
Wed 12 Portland 0.483 ( win )
Fri 14 @ Milwaukee 0.321 ( win )
Sat 15 Phoenix 0.871 (real tough)
Mon 17 @ San Antonio 0.788 (real tough)
Tue 18 @ Dallas 0.667 (real tough, back to back)

19-13
Now we go against Portland and Mil. 2 more wins and we have a 6 game winning steak going into a really tough 3 games.

[Bugs']

Originally posted by hands11
Thu 6 Seattle 0.793 ( real tough, ending 5 game road trip) WON
Sat 8 Minnesota 0.552 ( can be had, tough ) WON
Wed 12 Portland 0.483 ( win )
Fri 14 @ Milwaukee 0.321 ( win )
Sat 15 Phoenix 0.871 (real tough)
Mon 17 @ San Antonio 0.788 (real tough)
Tue 18 @ Dallas 0.667 (real tough, back to back)

19-13
Now we go against Portland and Mil. 2 more wins and we have a 6 game winning steak going into a really tough 3 games.

Let's hope we don't have a let down after two emotional wins against good teams....:shot:

[afparent]

i wouldn't be suprised who the wiz beat...they are gaining confidence every game.

[bigricky3469]

Originally posted by hands11



Dude, are you just tring to get your next avator ?

How about putting some explaining behind your strong view.

50-55 would be if a lot of things go our way, granted, but it is doable. If we dont have a major injury. If we continue to develop in the direct we already are.

Hey, in as many games as we have played, we had to gel as much as we already have and along the way we still have
beaten 16 teams and lost to only 10.

We should have beaten Miami at least once so that would be
17-10 and the last Boston game was a aberation. 18-9. And Detroit, what can I say about that one. Refs. The ref situation is already starting to change and will get better as the year goes on. 19-8
Now here are the games that remain. Miami, Cleveland, Phoenix, Sac, MN all on the road. A winable one the road against Phili then there was one to Denver and one to Dallas. Hmmmm. Now how many times to we play any of these teams moving forward after this 7 games stretch we have. Look at the schedule. Add up the wins. Who do you have beating us. We are only going to get better.

Sorry for the long delay Hands, man I've been sick as a dog lately and just couldn't be bothered with typing a response.

First I have to say I've long for a Bullet/Wizard team that I could be proud of and furthermore I love your enthusiasm towards our team. Man you make this board go and I'm glad we all have you and others like you that support this board.

Didn’t mean any disrespect by my answer I just feel that 50-55 games is a bit of a stretch for this team and I'll explain, But also let me say this and I hope its not view as a contradiction; I do hope that we win as many games as possible and 50-55 is not totally out of reach either.

However, this is what I’m seeing. I'm noticing that yes we are improving and we are beating the teams that we are suppose to beat but I'm also noticing that our starter are playing a lot of minutes and some times playing the whole game. As the season progresses I feel even though we are a young group that at some point this team will hit the wall and struggle because of tired legs. I'm already noticing this from Jamison in his last ten game his shooting percentage has declined dramatically his rebounds have also dropped and this is a direct result of tired legs.

There is also the question of our mental on this team. A NBA season is a long one and this team is still very young our toughness will be challenged as the season gets longer and for the most part its usually the veteran teams that have been through a playoff push down the strech of a season that come out on top. In my heart I don’t feel that we have this toughness yet but as most young teams it will come in time as we start to win some of these games against more of the NBA elite. We are a good team but not quite a very good team yet and I would just happy to make the playoffs and hopefully win the first series.

Ok I hope that helps bring a little light as to why I said no to the question about 50-55 wins.

Now I'm kind of late on my next 5 games prediction, but as I said before I've been very sick so here goes

Revenge game Minnesota at Washington, this is another one of those statement games that we had to win and that’s exactly what we did. I'm very proud of them for their effort in that game

Portland at Washington: In past years we've played these guys tough to only lose to them in the 4th quarter but we are different and so are they. However this is a game we could lose after coming off two of our biggest wins this season. This game is very hard to predict but I'm sticking with my WiZ here. Wash will win

Washington at Milwaukee: This is one of those games that we can't take lightly especially being on the road. It will be close but in the end I don’t think Gil will let us lose to this team. He has really taken over as the leader of this unit.

Phoenix at Washington: Well the last time we played these guys it went all the way to the final 5 minutes or so before they were able to put us away. This game will not resemble anything close to what we saw out west. Phoenix knows that they can't take us light and they will be bring their A+ game to DC and all we are going to be able to do is play chase. Not quite ready for the elites of the NBA yet. Phoenix wins

Washington at San Antonio: As I said before not quite ready for the elites of the NBA and can anyone tell me the last time we beat these guys on their home court......San Antonio wins

Another 3-2 prediction, not bad for this team. There will be better stretches of the season when we will do better than 3-2 but always remember 3-2 is still a .600 winning percentage and should land us a nice spot in the playoff standings.

[hands11]

Great post dude and thanks for the compliment.

I hear yeah about the legs issue. I just did a post on this.
Because we have Etan now, we should start thinking this way.

Before Etan, we just beat the teams we should have beat. We need to start to blow away the team that suck. Then we can rest our 3 amigos more.

Even without blowing these teams away, Etan will allow us to change the minutes around some.

Here is what I posted.

The best way for them to fit Etan in which out messing up Haywood and Jefferies minutes would be the just give him Ruffins minutes. There isnt anything Ruffin does that Etan doesnt do better.


Current
Jam 39
Hayes 28
Haywood 28
Jefferies 24
Ruffin 18

We should rest our big 3 as much as makes sence. We need them for later in the year.

Give Etan 20-25 min for now.

Jam 37
Hayes 24
Jefferies 25
Haywood 28
Etan 25

I would hope in a short amount of time, Etan could go 30 on any given night. Adding one solid player like Etan will change a lot.
My hope is that it will help us address many of the things you just wrote about.

We havent proven we can beat these top teams ( well we bet Seattle :), really we beat Miami that last game, and Detriot at home, but whos counting ), but Im guessing we are going to start to show we can play with them and we may even take one or 2 here and there. All we were missing was some more power players. Etan helps there is a huge way. Jefferies is coming along. So is Haywood.

I'll be excited to see what Etan can bring and how he changes this team. It will be interesting to see how we play these top teams. If we win 1 of those 3 tough games, Ill be very happy.

[hands11]

Fri 14 @ Milwaukee 8:30pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM
Sat 15 Phoenix 7:00pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM
Mon 17 @ San Antonio 5:00pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM
Tue 18 @ Dallas 8:30pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM


If we can go 2-2 this would be a great success. Keep it rolling.

I think we can beat Dallas. It will be tough though on a back to back.

[bigricky3469]

Why does the league put us in so many back to back games on the road out west.

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Originally posted by bigricky3469
Why does the league put us in so many back to back games on the road out west.

It happens to every team. The league just has to fit games in, so when an East team goes out West, or vice versa, the league wants to get as many games in as they can so you don't have to do as much back and forth traveling. Seattle played at Orlando the night before we beat them, and Portland had a back-to-back in New York and Philly just 2 days before we beat them the other day.

[RedskinsNation]

Originally posted by hands11
Fri 14 @ Milwaukee 8:30pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM
Sat 15 Phoenix 7:00pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM
Mon 17 @ San Antonio 5:00pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM
Tue 18 @ Dallas 8:30pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM


If we can go 2-2 this would be a great success. Keep it rolling.

I think we can beat Dallas. It will be tough though on a back to back.

It doesnt get much tougher over the next four....except for maybe our LAST four LOL....

Anyway if we can go 2-2 over the next 4 games then I consider that a win!

Im thinking we will win tonight and then surprise one of the Texas teams...Im thinking we will beat S.Antonio and lose to Dallas which is fine w/me.

[garg8050]

Originally posted by hands11
Great post dude and thanks for the compliment.

I hear yeah about the legs issue. I just did a post on this.
Because we have Etan now, we should start thinking this way.

Before Etan, we just beat the teams we should have beat. We need to start to blow away the team that suck. Then we can rest our 3 amigos more.

Even without blowing these teams away, Etan will allow us to change the minutes around some.

Here is what I posted.

The best way for them to fit Etan in which out messing up Haywood and Jefferies minutes would be the just give him Ruffins minutes. There isnt anything Ruffin does that Etan doesnt do better.


Current
Jam 39
Hayes 28
Haywood 28
Jefferies 24
Ruffin 18

We should rest our big 3 as much as makes sence. We need them for later in the year.

Give Etan 20-25 min for now.

Jam 37
Hayes 24
Jefferies 25
Haywood 28
Etan 25

I would hope in a short amount of time, Etan could go 30 on any given night. Adding one solid player like Etan will change a lot.
My hope is that it will help us address many of the things you just wrote about.

We havent proven we can beat these top teams ( well we bet Seattle :), really we beat Miami that last game, and Detriot at home, but whos counting ), but Im guessing we are going to start to show we can play with them and we may even take one or 2 here and there. All we were missing was some more power players. Etan helps there is a huge way. Jefferies is coming along. So is Haywood.

I'll be excited to see what Etan can bring and how he changes this team. It will be interesting to see how we play these top teams. If we win 1 of those 3 tough games, Ill be very happy.

Where does Kwame fit in, if at all. I've been rooting for this kid the past 3 years but I'm starting to think it isn't gonna happen for him in D.C. In my opinion, he just doesn't want "it" bad enough. Granted, he's only played a handful of games this year but I still don't see consistent effort out of him. It seems that if he doesn't get the ball on the offensive end, it really hurts his defense and rebounding. And I still haven't seen him hustle back on defense. I wouldn't be shocked if the Wizards moved him before the deadline. With the Big Three, all they need out of the frontcourt is defense and rebounding and I think Haywood, Thomas and Ruffin can probably handle that. It is unfortunate, though.

[bigricky3469]

by the way when is the trading dead line, but IMO i dont think we will move him and we will probably sign him for what we offered him before the season started.

just my take

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Feb 28

[clubisyohankovic]

Originally posted by RedskinsNation


It doesnt get much tougher over the next four....except for maybe our LAST four LOL....

Anyway if we can go 2-2 over the next 4 games then I consider that a win!

Im thinking we will win tonight and then surprise one of the Texas teams...Im thinking we will beat S.Antonio and lose to Dallas which is fine w/me.

Man, beating one of the two Texas teams on the road is a tall order. I'm guessing we go 1-3 over the next 4 games. 2-2 would be HUGE.

[BayouBrave86]

For some reason I have a feeling we win the next 2. Call me crazy, but Im feeling it. I think Arenas and the team are pissed off about that game like they were about Minnesota. GEAUX WIZARDS. Beat the Bucks tonight!

[hands11]

Originally posted by hands11
Fri 14 @ Milwaukee 8:30pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM
Sat 15 Phoenix 7:00pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM
Mon 17 @ San Antonio 5:00pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM
Tue 18 @ Dallas 8:30pm CSN NBALP WWRC 1260 AM


If we can go 2-2 this would be a great success. Keep it rolling.

I think we can beat Dallas. It will be tough though on a back to back.

Well, we got the 1 we counted on, now we have to take at least 1 of 3 of remaining.

[bigricky3469]

Man so far we are the only team in the league to have not lost a game this year (05) lol. Nash is hurting and IMO he is the MVP this season. Look what he alone has done for Pheniox and look how they fell apart when he got hurt in the second quarter. They will play better tonight only because we play very bad defense but these are the kinds of games we most win. An elite team playing on our home court and their best player hurting. We have gots to steal this win and oh by the way they are playing the secon game of a back to back on the road.

[hands11]

Thu 6 Seattle 0.793 ( real tough, ending 5 game road trip)
Sat 8 Minnesota 0.552 ( can be had, tough )
Wed 12 Portland 0.483 ( win )
Fri 14 @ Milwaukee 0.321 ( win )
Sat 15 Phoenix 0.871 (real tough)
Mon 17 @ San Antonio 0.788 (real tough)
Tue 18 @ Dallas 0.667 (real tough, back to back)

(1/15 we should win 1 of these 3 going 5-2. Our best chance is tonight, then Dallas )

Fri 21 Toronto (1/15 WIN )
Sat 22 @ Indiana (1/15 Loss )
Mon 24 @ Cleveland (1/15 Loss )
Wed 26 Philadelphia (1/15 WIN )
Fri 28 @ Orlando (1/15 WIN )
Sat 29 Orlando (1/15 WIN )

4-2 Guess as of now. I want to see at little more first. Will we have Etan, Kwame, etc. 6-7 over this total stetch is very doable. Thats fine while we gel. The sch gets easier in Fed and much easier in March where it looks like we should be able to really get on a roll and start winning a lot of games and getting on some long winning streaks.

-------------------

Well we are a head of what I would have guess before we played Seattle. We are 4-0 so far, with a very possible 5-0 coming up tonight. I thought 6-7 would have been a success.
We are now on track for at least 9-4 which is just amazing.

[bigricky3469]

The next five games starting at Cleveland and ending at home against Detriot. Whats your thoughts

A 3-2 record would be all I could ask for and would put us 10 games over .500

[Bugs']

Originally posted by bigricky3469
The next five games starting at Cleveland and ending at home against Detriot. Whats your thoughts

A 3-2 record would be all I could ask for and would put us 10 games over .500

The next five:

24th at Cleveland: I think we will play tight but lose to Cleveland. They are playing great ball right now and are blowing out teams they should (Atlanta, NY, etc.) and only losing to good teams (Sac, LAL, Seattle, all away) in their last ten games.

26th Philly: They have been playing every game tight over the last month but only winning as much as their losing. I think we should be able to handle Philly and win.

28th and 29th vs. Orlando: Back to back games with Orlando who is only 2.0 games behind the Wizards. They have been sporadic of late and will be coming off back to back's earlier in the same week....I think we will split these games, winning the home game and losing at Orlando.

1st Detroit: They have lost 3 games in a row but a lot can happen until we play them...I think we are a better team than Detroit and will win easily at home.

Overall, my prediction is 3-2 over the next 5. :2cents:

[Gamebreaker]

I think the only game we will likely lose is the Detroit game.

[skinsarethebest]

the most important of these five is probably the back to back games against orlando -- we need to do to them what miami did to us earlier in the season -- sweep them so we have a division tiebreaker against them

[afparent]

i will be happy to play .500 ball until hughes comes back

[Nighthawk]

When the New Year started, I was hoping for 8 wins at the least in January and 7 wins in February.

They've exceeded that by winning 9 games in January with 4 games to go in this month.

I think we're capable of winning our next 8 games before we have to play San Antonio at home. I'm not saying we will win 8 but we can win our next 8 games. It's doable and if we want to prove we aren't a fluke then we need to beat Orlando twice and make a statement in our division.

We don't have another killer west coast road trip until the 22nd of March when we play 5 games in 7 days.

I have no dreams of beating San Antonio even though we play them the 2nd night of back to back games for them. We aren't close to being in their league.

I'd be happy if we win 6 out of 8 and are sitting at 30-17 when we play them.

[bigricky3469]

I'm so sick that we lost Hughes for all these important games. If we can just play a little better than .500 ball until Hughes gets back will make me pretty happy. I'm eyeing that 6th spot in the east. But it we land the forth you won't hear my complaining.

[bigricky3469]

We got the first on e of this new five game set and we did it on the road.

Philly up next and they just got a huge win over Miami. This game is setting up very well but not for us. I just hope we can defend our home court.

Go Wizz!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bigricky3469]

Hands i'm really pumped about this game dude. To win both games of this home and home series would really be the tales tale of this short season for us, it would be our statement to the league IMO.

So far so good we got Cleveland and then turned away Philly now this home and home. I want both of them so bad but it all starts tonight.

Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!! :cheers:

[Nomadskin11]

Win both games vs. Orlando -----
Huge statement to not only our division, but to the conference, that we are one of the top teams in the conference. Playing against the Wizards will really start to be considered a very tough game by every team, and most every player.

We split the two games-----
We are still interesting to the rest of the conference, but will seem more beatable than we have of late. Kind of instant partial deflation. Wizards still inconsistent, blah, blah. Image isn't everything, but it's something.

We lose both games-----
Just not going to happen. If Gilbert has to cut his arm off and throw it across the court with the ball in the hand of that cut-off arm in order to make a game winning dunk, he will do it.

"You can trap me, you can double me, you can foul me, but the one thing you'll never do, is stop me. I am Gilbert Arenas; we are the Washington Wizards." ---- said by the Gilbert Arenas talking bobblehead given out at a Wizard's vs Golden State game at MCI last season. That "we are the Washington Wizards" has become the mantra for this season, and the change we were hoping for in Gilbert, the team, and the organization.


Goooooooo Zaaaard's!!!!!!!!!

[hands11]

Originally posted by hands11
Thu 6 Seattle 0.793 ( real tough, ending 5 game road trip)
Sat 8 Minnesota 0.552 ( can be had, tough )
Wed 12 Portland 0.483 ( win )
Fri 14 @ Milwaukee 0.321 ( win )
Sat 15 Phoenix 0.871 (real tough)
Mon 17 @ San Antonio 0.788 (real tough)
Tue 18 @ Dallas 0.667 (real tough, back to back)

(1/15 we should win 1 of these 3 going 5-2. Our best chance is tonight, then Dallas )

Fri 21 Toronto (1/15 WIN )
Sat 22 @ Indiana (1/15 Loss )
Mon 24 @ Cleveland (1/15 Loss )
Wed 26 Philadelphia (1/15 WIN )
Fri 28 @ Orlando (1/15 Loss )
Sat 29 Orlando (1/15 WIN )

4-2 Guess as of now. I want to see at little more first. Will we have Etan, Kwame, etc. 6-7 over this total stetch is very doable. Thats fine while we gel. The sch gets easier in Fed and much easier in March where it looks like we should be able to really get on a roll and start winning a lot of games and getting on some long winning streaks.

-------------------

Well we are a head of what I would have guessed before we played Seattle. We are 4-0 so far, with a very possible 5-0 coming up tonight. I thought 6-7 would have been a success.
We are now on track for at least 9-4 which is just amazing.

Hey we won 2 at Indi and Clevland I would have thought we would have lost and we lost one at home against Orlando that I thought we would have one.

So we were 9-4, and if anyone would have projected that before the Seattle game, we would have thought they were very hopeful or maybe nuts. We did great.

We just have to get back on track and beat Detriot. We need to win he next 4 before we hit a real tough run of games.

Tue 1 Detroit
Fri 4 @ Toronto
Sat 5 Milwaukee
Mon 7 Indiana

Here is hoping for at least a 8-4 in Feb. 32-21. Then we should be getting Hughes and Kwame back and we start our run to the playoffs.