Wizards vs. Heat

[Bugs']

Here is the preview for the game tonight:

We need to keep Wade in check (if that is possible) and we have a good chance of winning. Also, with Kwame in the rotation we should do better defending or at least hacking Shaq

Washington (12-6) at Miami (15-7)

Game Info: 7:30 pm EST Mon Dec 13, 2004
TV: NC8, SUNS


The Washington Wizards have had little trouble beating the lower echelon teams in the NBA.
The Wizards will be put to the test as they begin a home-and-home series against Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Washington has won nine of its last 11 games, but none of the victories have come against teams with winning records over that span.

Miami has won four straight to improve to 15-7 on the season and take over first place in the competitive Southeast Division. The Heat, Wizards and Orlando Magic are separated by only a game in division standings.

Gilbert Arenas had a season-high six of Washington's season-high 20 steals in an 88-69 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday. The Hornets have the NBA's worst record at 1-18.

Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood both scored 17 points to pace the Wizards, who lead the league in steals. Arenas added 16 points and six assists.

Kwame Brown, who returned to the Wizards after serving a one-game club suspension, finished with six points and four rebounds in 20 minutes. He was suspended for refusing to join the huddle during a timeout in Wednesday's loss to Denver.

``It's a luxury to have big Haywood and then have Kwame come in and be physical,'' Jamison said. ``What he brings offensively and defensively is something that we definitely need. We're ready to go on a West Coast trip and we're going to need his tough play on both sides of the ball.''

The Wizards embark on a five-game road trip after completing the home-and-home on Wednesday.

First, Haywood and Brown will have the difficult task of trying to contain O'Neal on Monday.

O'Neal had 20 points and Dwyane Wade added 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists as the Heat beat the Toronto Raptors 106-98 on Sunday.

O'Neal is averaging a career-low 20.1 points per game, but the 7-foot center is still making his presence felt on the boards with 11.1 rebounds a game.

Wade leads Miami with 23.8 points and 7.5 assists per game. He scored 37 points and handed out a career-high 12 assists as the Heat beat the Wizards 118-106 in their first meeting on Nov. 6.


Updated on Monday, Dec 13, 2004 12:19

[BayouBrave86]

Im going to the game Wednesday night, hopefully the Wiz come away with a win tonight and are pumped coming back to town Wednesday.

[Gamebreaker]

I'll be pissed tonight because I can't watch the game...

[Bugs']

Originally posted by Gamebreaker
I'll be pissed tonight because I can't watch the game...

I will actually be able to watch the entire game in peace for a change...really looking forward to it. Sorry you can't Gamebreaker...sucks.

[fixer26er]

It is on NewsChannel8, correct? I didn't see it listed on tvguide.com.

[Bugs']

Originally posted by fixer26er
It is on NewsChannel8, correct? I didn't see it listed on tvguide.com.

Yes, it's on NewsChannel8....well, you always have the radio, they do a pretty good job.

[TODD]

Originally posted by Bugs'


Yes, it's on NewsChannel8....well, you always have the radio, they do a pretty good job.

Bloody hell. How dumb is that?

[Bugs']

Originally posted by TODD


Bloody hell. How dumb is that?

What's dumb about it? The man can't get the game on television at least he can listen to it on the radio....so :shutup:

[bofluid]

I also will not be able to watch this game. Pretty dumb decision to stick this of all games on Newschannel 8.

Dave Johnson, the Wizards radio play by play man, is alright. However, without Buck and Chenier, Wizards basketball isn't the same.

[mad4comp]

I find Chenier kinda annoying :/

[hands11]

Sitting down to cold one.
I turned on chanel 8.

EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFF

That sucks

[Zen-like Todd]

This is a pretty big game, ladies. 12-6 is a fantastic start, but we play the Heat back to back, and then play the best of the west for the next week or two. Pulling off a win tonight would be huge for our momentum, and give us just that much more cushion before our road trip.

[hands11]

Anyone having problems with channel 8 coming in?

[RySkins]

This is pissing me off! Newschannel 8 is down. The one night I actually want to watch something on the worthless channel and it goes down!

[Skinned]

This blows....:puke:

[afparent]

Originally posted by hands11
Anyone having problems with channel 8 coming in?

Not working for me either

[hands11]

Well I hope youll are at least catching that at
http://www.nba.com/

click the "flash" and you can read the play by play

We are down by 2

shooting 33%

[mad4comp]

Shaq getting all the calls, and also hes allowed to push off for some reason, and Brendon is not. Good job refs you piece of sh*ts.

[hands11]

http://www.nba.com/games/20041213/WASMIA/livestats.html

Jams and Gil are both 1-4

[komatik]

damn news channel 8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mad4comp]

WOW...FOUL AFTER FOUL AFTER FOUL are getting called for Shaq, when we clearly stripped that ball...ALL BALL, yet they get the foul. Way to suck Shaq's you know what.

[hands11]

Originally posted by mad4comp
Shaq getting all the calls, and also hes allowed to push off for some reason, and Brendon is not. Good job refs you piece of sh*ts.

Yeah well. That's the way it's been for a while now.
All the way back to Charles Jones against Ewing.

Shaq runs over you, no foul.
He hope, skips and jumps, no call.

[hands11]

Haywood 2 fouls

Kwame is coming in

What the hell is wrong with Channel 8

[hands11]

16-20 End of first quarter.

Shaq has 3 blocks. 10 pts on 5-6

[komatik]

yeah KWAME!

[Skinned]

Originally posted by mad4comp
WOW...FOUL AFTER FOUL AFTER FOUL are getting called for Shaq, when we clearly stripped that ball...ALL BALL, yet they get the foul. Way to suck Shaq's you know what.

Are you actually watching the game? Satellite?

[mad4comp]

Originally posted by Skinned


Are you actually watching the game? Satellite?

Cox.

[mad4comp]

Appearantly we are not allowed to even lay a finger on the heat players, yet they can just run over us.

[Diablo23]

What radio station does it come on? :mad:

[Skinned]

We have some balanced scoring!

3 players with 4 points
4 with 3 points
1 with 2 points

[komatik]

try 980 or 1260...not sure

[mad4comp]

Shaq totally molests Larry hughes, and guess what...no call. And then the smallest touch of a heat player = foul.

[hands11]

27-35

we are only shooting 32%

owwwww. That bad. We cant let them get away from us.

[hands11]

So the only person who can see this is watching on COX.

How do I see that ?

I have Comcast and this is broadcast by comcast and I cant see the dame game.

Urrrrr

[RySkins]

NC 8 finally comes on with 1 minute to go in the half

[hands11]

27-39 with 3 min remaining.

owwww,that ugly.

Maybe we should be happy we can see this.

[mad4comp]

This team is embarassing. Im turning off the tv now, its not worth watching it. The refs, the bad shooting, the Defense.

[hands11]

Originally posted by RySkins
NC 8 finally comes on with 1 minute to go in the half

where are you located. Im not seeing anything in Montgomery county, burtonsville, silver spring area

[hands11]

owww

CN8 just came on.

[RySkins]

I'm in College Park. Have Comcast service.

[hands11]

alright.

We are starting to look like we have a little life.

Nice move by Hughes with the dunk.

If we have any chance, Kwame is going to have to do something
to put pressure on Shaq.

He needs to make some moves to the hoop and get Shaq to foul him a couple times. Once he is on the bench, they dont have Wade, we can make a move.

[Skinned]

With Wade not coming back, we need to drive the lane every time and get Shaq in foul trouble.

Just got Shaq's 3rd! We need one more before the 4th begins.

[Skinned]

4 fouls on both Haywood and Kwame....please no Samaki...please!

[hands11]

That was suck bull..

no way that was a foul on Kwame on the steal.

These refs suck.

Gil has gotten 2 fouls on Shaq by driving.

He needs to keep it up. If shaq goes out, we can make a run at the end.

[Skinned]

Jamison needs to keep shooting. He will get hot...he always does at some point.

[hands11]

Ok, Ruffin has a few fouls to give.

We are looking a lot better.

Kwame playing great. We need a burst from Haywood when he returns. We can actually take these game if we can get Gil to drive again on Shaq.

[Diablo23]

How come Comcast all of a sudden is showing the game?


Not NC8 but CSN... (629 on Direct TV)

[jbooma]

we just can't beat a good team :(

however i am happy we can beat the teams we should, babysteps :cheers:

[Bugs']

Originally posted by jbooma
we just can't beat a good team :(

however i am happy we can beat the teams we should, babysteps :cheers:

Yes, sorry you guys were having problems seeing the games...I live in Gambrills and have Comcast digital and had no problems on channel 8...except for one...the outcome of the game....we had no answer for Shaq, and Jamison had a bad night....that was the formula for disaster....let's hope for better success Wed. night at home! Tickets still available...I might go....if anyone else does let me know.

[hands11]

Kwame played a lot the second half.

6-9 16 pts 4-5 FT 4 Rbs. in 22 minutes

This is nice progress for him. He may be getting ready to start soon. He looked like he could have gone 30 minutes. Give him more of Jefferies minutes. Specially against a power team like one with Shaq on it. Kwame can at least switch off on Shaq and you dont loss anything and he can over power the PF covering him and put pressure and fouls on the front court. We should try this for at least 5-6 minutes and see how we do.

Gil and Hughes need to drive more next game and get fouls on Shaq. Foul him, make him foul you. The best place for him is tired and on/or on the bench.

I dont recall seeing Kwame and Haywood on the floor together because of foul trouble but I believe this is the answer for Shaq.

Haywood, Kwame, Jamison, Hughes and Gil.

I would start this line up. If Haywood gets in foul trouble, first try Ramos for 4-5 min and see what he can do. If he bombs, move Kwame to center. We may as well try something different. What we are doing isnt working. I would rather learn something about new combinations and loss then loss doing the same ol thing.

If Ramos is healthy enough to play, they need to activate him and put S Walker off the roster for then next game. We need the fouls and size against Shaq. Ramos is 6 extra fouls, and at least his 7-3 275 lbs size and quickness may bother Shaq 7-1 325 lbs a couple of times while he spell Haywood.

We just couldnt be agressive enough with Shaq with only 12 fouls to give. I love Ruffins heart but he has no offense and all he can do is foul Shaq. Ramos may be able to alter his shot without fouling ever time. It's worth a shot. What we are doing isnt working.

This reminds me of how Chicago used to do it back in the Jordan days. They have 3 centers. None of them great but 18 fouls to give and they could score some also.

We need to wear Shaq down and have him work for everything.

I believe we can take them next game at home if we do this.

[jbooma]

The one huge positive from this game, Kwame had 16 in 22 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep it up wiz :cheers:

[Bugs']

Originally posted by jbooma
The one huge positive from this game, Kwame had 16 in 22 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep it up wiz :cheers:

I guess, but if you watched the game he really didn't look that good....two prayer bank shots went in and he was dominated by Shaq (who isn't I guess)....He looks good, he has more bulk and ran up and down the floor well....I think EJ is giving him more minutes here and there and it will be just a matter of time before he is starting over Jeffries...

[DonMagicJuan]

i hope ramos gains like 25 lbs for next year, then he'll be 7`3, 300lbs....he'll still be quick and hopefully ramos is a all star center in the future! but yeah i say we let him play, only way he learns is if he plays

[Gamebreaker]

I saw on Sportscenter when on one dunk, Shaq smacked Kwame across the court then dunked and the refs just watched. I haven't lost the slightest bit of optimism for this team when the have as biased officiating as that. When are NBA officials going to get up off their knees, wipe their mouths, and stop allowing Shaq to abuse the rules in every game.

[mad4comp]

Originally posted by Gamebreaker
I saw on Sportscenter when on one dunk, Shaq smacked Kwame across the court then dunked and the refs just watched. I haven't lost the slightest bit of optimism for this team when the have as biased officiating as that. When are NBA officials going to get up off their knees, wipe their mouths, and stop allowing Shaq to abuse the rules in every game.

I concur, everytime a wiz player even got close to Shaq..FOUL.. then when Shaq pushes off, and just molests a player, the refs let it slide. The one play where Hughes goes to the basket and Shaq just puts his hand up and grabs a handful of...hand, they dont call a foul. Biased morons. stop sucking shaq's you know what.

[Bugs']

Originally posted by mad4comp


I concur, everytime a wiz player even got close to Shaq..FOUL.. then when Shaq pushes off, and just molests a player, the refs let it slide. The one play where Hughes goes to the basket and Shaq just puts his hand up and grabs a handful of...hand, they dont call a foul. Biased morons. stop sucking shaq's you know what.

Well it's been going on for what 13 years now? I doubt it will stop anytime soon....at least we only play him one more time...tomorrow night....I think things will be different at home...and hopefully without Wade. :cheers:

[hands11]

Originally posted by Gamebreaker
I saw on Sportscenter when on one dunk, Shaq smacked Kwame across the court then dunked and the refs just watched. I haven't lost the slightest bit of optimism for this team when the have as biased officiating as that. When are NBA officials going to get up off their knees, wipe their mouths, and stop allowing Shaq to abuse the rules in every game.

When people stop paying to come see him play against bad teams. The almightly dollar always rules.

Are people in other cities coming to see Hughes, Kwame, Haywood ? not many.

Are they coming to see Gil and Jamison ? Not in droves. Not yet at least.

They are coming to see Labron, Shaq, Iverson, Garnett, Dirk, Kidd, McGrady, Kobe? Players like that. Yes, and thier teams benefit from thier star power so they get calls also.

People come for the high flying dunks, blocks and incredible passing. They come to be entertained and excited. We are getting there but we don't quit have it yet.

Also, you have to make it to the playoffs or have a great record over a period of time to get big exposure nationally and we havent been there much in the last 20 yrs.

You have to be a winning team to get people to drive out in the Winter to watch you play thier team because they know it's going to be a great entertaining game. It is entertainment after all.

We also haven't had an electric player in a while. Someone like a Webber. Get Hughes, Gil and Jamison to the playoffs a few times and things will start to change. They still don't have the star powered games that the above people have but they have above average games. They are getting there.

Kwame would be the kind of talent, that if he gets there, could have an very star powered exciting game. Power dunks, blocked shots, running the court. Jamison is kind of like a Bernard King. He could do it. Gil would have a more exciting game if he drove and dunked more. Same with Hughes. We need someone who can excite people with excellent passing also. A Kidd, Stockon, Nash, Wade type player.

We do these things in flashes but we have only played 19 games and we havent won the games agains the great teams when the nation is watching. Us homers are the only ones watching them play great against Atlanta.

Wow, look what I just found. Ends up B Knight can pass the ball pretty well. 9.6 Assists per game. 2nd in the NBA.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/brevin_knight/index.html?nav=page

Now, we don't need one super star if we can play a great game together. More like the Patriots. Adding a more developed Kwame and an power slamming Etan would help a lot.

As long as we don't get the playoffs exposure or have a top winning record, or have a true super star, we will continue to get the short end of the stick when playing against the NBA super stars.

This is why the NBA front office doesn't come down on the refs. These players make them money. Bottom line.

Fill the seats on the road against the bad teams who arent filling the seats themselves, and you will get the calls.

[Bugs']

Tonight's Game Preview:

Miami (16-7) at Washington (12-7)


Game Info: 7:00 pm EST Wed Dec 15, 2004
TV: SUNS, CSNB

Although Dwyane Wade expects a speedy return, Shaquille O'Neal has made it clear there's no need to rush.
With Wade anticipating a return, O'Neal and the Miami Heat hope to continue their recent dominance of the Washington Wizards as the teams conclude a home-and-home series.

Wade suffered a mild sprain of his left ankle as the Heat beat the Wizards for the seventh straight time, 106-83 on Monday.

The Heat have won each of the three meetings between the teams this season, and haven't lost to the Wizards since a 91-87 defeat on April 11, 2003, in Washington.

A Heat spokesperson said Wade's second-half absence was ``more precautionary than anything else'' and he is expected to play Wednesday. Wade, who failed to score in 18 minutes, was injured while grabbing a loose ball with 3:18 left in the half.

Wade badly wanted to keep playing, but O'Neal told him to take the game off.

O'Neal went on to score a season-high 40 points on 15-of-23 shooting, and added 12 rebounds and five blocks. Miami outscored Washington 56-32 in the paint.

``That's what we're going to have to do when (me or Wade) go out,'' said O'Neal, whose previous season high was 34 against the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 30. ``The other one is going to have to step up.''

Miami's Rasual Butler had 16 points and tied his career high with seven rebounds. Eddie Jones added 14 points after averaging just 5.5 in his previous four games. Damon Jones 12 points to go with nine assists.

Gilbert Arenas scored 18 points for Washington, which lost for only the third time in 12 games. The Wizards had won two straight.

Kwame Brown added 16 points but had trouble handling O'Neal.

``There's no game plan that works against Shaq,'' said Brown, who had four rebounds. ``Anybody who tells you that, they're crazy.''

The Wizards scored just 32 points in the first half -- their lowest output of the season -- and trailed by 11 at the break. Leading scorers Antawn Jamison (1-of-7), Larry Hughes (2-of-11) and Arenas (2-of-9) contributed to 33 percent shooting before intermission.

``Hopefully, that will be the only time that happens this year,'' Hughes said of the trio's struggles. ``We definitely can't shoot the ball like that and expect to win.''

[mad4comp]

Refs blowing it again. Everything is a foul for Washington, yet Shaq can run over Gilbert and Jamison, and no call. Its gonna be a shi**y game yet again guys.

[afparent]

Originally posted by Diablo23
How come Comcast all of a sudden is showing the game?


Not NC8 but CSN... (629 on Direct TV)

Comcast does the majority of games