Three thoughts about the Wizards (8-16) finally breaking their streak of six straight losses by four points or less with a 118-109 win over Monta Ellis (30 points, 7 assists, 8 turnovers), Stephen Curry (27 points) and the hapless Warriors (7-19):
It’s not a question of whether or not Gilbert Arenas is back after he had 45 points and 13 assists, his highest scoring game since Jan. 15, 2007 (thanks, ESPN). He has to be back. This is his team. He is the center of what it does and how it plays. Everything starts with Arenas, and the Wizards have spent the better part of two years waiting for him simply to finally take his place, one that they paid – yes, i’m talking about it – $111 million to reserve. The other reason is because the Wizards bench has lost its way. The Earl Boykins experiment seems to have outlived it’s usefulness. DeShawn Stevenson couldn’t throw a rock in the ocean from the beach. To say Andray Blatche is pressing would be an understatement, and Nick Young needs to be as desperate with his defense as he his to make a forced jump shot.
Even if Caron Butler’s offensive rhythm out of the halfcourt leaves plenty to be desired, his hustle made a big difference against Golden State. He scored 16 of his 28 points in the second half to go along with 10 rebounds and 5 steals. It was a crucial contribution given Antawn Jamison’s struggles after what appeared to be neck stinger more than a left shoulder injury, happening when he banged into Curry, not Vladimir Radmanovic. Jamison finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, but he was 4 for 14 from the field, including 1 for 6 from behind the arc, and his propensity for getting knocked this season has to start making one wonder whether it’s bad luck or age and the frailty that comes with it. Brendan Haywood (15 points, 12 rebounds) was effective once the Wizards exploited the undermanned Warriors’ mismatches inside, ones that you hoped they would’ve known about before spotting them a 11-1 lead to start the game.
In some ways, you’ve got to wonder if Kevin Calabro, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy were bitter about getting two pretty underwhelming Wizards games in three nights. They certainly wouldn’t have been so much if the Wizards had started off the year better, but it was pretty interesting to hear the announcers unabashedly attack the ESPN.com promotion in which fans can submit an inbounds play for the Wizards to run. Not toeing the corporate line there, instead pointing out that every possession actually matters. (Since when did that become a shocking concept, anyway?) They also made fun of LeBron James’ pose for ESPN’s Christmas Day games, too.
One bonus thought. All hope for a potential Wizards turnaround should still be on hold. The Warriors are not a good team, despite the potential of Curry and relentlessness of Ellis. It was as hard to break down this game as it would’ve been on the playground. The Wizards also face the Suns tomorrow night in Phoenix. Now, a win in Arizona, however, would raise eyebrows….
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