Okay, it’s only an NBA preseason game, but with the Wizards set to play at Cleveland tonight (CSN), this is a chance to revisit a heated rivalry. For three straight years (2006-08), Cleveland eliminated Washington from the playoffs in the opening round.
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Here are five memorable moments from Wizards-Cavs lore:
5. Jamison vs. LeBron (2007) » With Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler out with season-ending injuries, it’s up to Antawn Jamison to carry the offense in the opening round of the playoffs. Jamison (32 points per game, 9.8 rpg) does his part, but doesn’t get enough help as Washington is abused on the boards, 196-136, in a four game sweep. After getting benched in Game 4, Wizards center Brendan Haywood rips his nameplate from the locker stall.
4. White Out (2008) » In the opening round of the 2008 playoffs, after Washington loses the first two games in a hostile environment in Cleveland, the Wizards return to Verizon Center and find a sellout crowd clad in white T-shirts and waving white towels. Riding the extraordinary atmosphere, the Wizards roll to a convincing victory.
3. Crab Dribble (2009) » In a January game during the Wizards’ dreadful 2008-09 season, the teams still show the rivalry has some juice as Washington rises for a 79-77 victory. On the decisive final possession, LeBron James dribbles into the lane and is called for traveling. Afterward, James explains that referees misread his “crab dribble.”
2. Soulja Boy (2008) » When Wizard DeShawn Stevenson calls LeBron “overrated,” James compares himself to rap icon Jay-Z and Stevenson to rap lightweight Soulja Boy. A month later, when the Wizards host Cleveland in Game 3 of the playoffs, Soulja Boy is in the front row. During a timeout, with the Wizards on their way to a blowout win, Soulja Boy, wearing a Stevenson jersey, dances in an isle, doing Stevenson’s signature face wave.
1. Dagger (2006) » In Game 6, with the Wizards on the verge of elimination and everyone in Verizon Center expecting LeBron to take the final shot, reserve Damon Jones sinks Washington with a 17-footer from the baseline. As a stunned crowd watches in silence, the Cavaliers celebrate with a dog pile at midcourt. It was the third 1-point loss of the series for the Wizards.
