Four thoughts after the Wizards (1-1) fell back to earth with a 100-89 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks (2-0).
Gilbert Arenas had hardly any success attacking the basket against the Hawks’ more athletic big men. Although he led the Wizards with 23 points, he finished the first half with six of his seven turnovers in the game. He also had just four assists – almost the opposite of his complete control in the season opener Tuesday at Dallas. Brendan Haywood (19 points, 9 rebounds) and Andray Blatche (13 points, 6 rebounds) were -11 and -17, respectively.
The loss of Caron Butler to a bruised knee in the second period stung, and it was a significant factor in why Arenas couldn’t get things going. Without Butler – who gets his points even on off nights such as the one he had vs. the Mavericks – the Wizards had far fewer options off the dribble. Nick Young, who replaced Butler in the third quarter starting lineup, had what is known in British soccer parlance as a shocker, mate: 0-for-8 horrendous shots with one rebound. That’s exactly how NOT to celebrate the Wizards picking up its option on the next year of your contract. Randy Foye was only one notch better, with 9 points on 3-for-12 shooting. He also struggled against the length of the Atlanta defenders. At least JaVale McGee made his impression felt with seven points on 3 of 4 shots (two fast break slams served up by Foye) and two blocks — a nice salute to his own contract option also getting picked up.
Whatever Mike Miller needs to bring to the Wizards, that wasn’t it. When the broadcasters can’t gush enough over the fact that Miller is a career 40 percent shooter from three, it’s shocking that he can finish the night without a single attempt from behind the arc. With seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists, sure, he was busy. But when no one could get it going for Washington, the one guy whose scouting report says he’s a lights-out shooter needs to take it upon himself to shoulder some of the offensive burden.
Credit to the Hawks, who had five players in double figures and made 31 of 34 free throw attempts. Josh Smith (20 points, 8 rebounds) was huge at both ends in the fourth quarter: at one basket, there was his alley oop slam from Mike Bibby to make it 93-78 and a three-point play to seal the deal, 96-86, after Arenas had bombed a three. At the other, he also had two massive blocks on Arenas, one at the three-point line, one in the lane. Jamal Crawford led the way in the first half, when he score 15 of his 16 points off the bench.
