The series did not start the way Washington wanted. With one more loss, and a 2-0 deficit, it likely won’t end the way the Wizards want either. Which makes tonight’s game at Cleveland all the more important.
And one question tonight is this: how will Gilbert Arenas and his knee be on only one day’s rest? Based on recent past, the chances for his possible success are mixed. He’s played twice on one day’s rest; another with no day off. He’s scored a combined 43 points in those three games, shooting 13 of 32 from the field.
“It’ll be interesting to see how he responds without a long recovery,” one NBA scout said. “The skill is still there, but I do question the explosiveness to his left and off his left leg.”
He pointed to a move Arenas made in a game recently in which, in the past, he would typically hop off both feet in the past, but this time he hopped twice off his right foot.
And the scout said that don’t be surprised if Cleveland tries even harder to pressure Arenas, something Detroit successfully did in limiting him to 10 points 10 days ago.
“Detroit really got into him,” the scout said. “It’s really evident that he’s healthy, but he’s not quite back.”
Arenas scored 24 points in 28 minutes Saturday, but half of his points came from the three-point line.
One thing that won’t surprise the scout is if Cleveland continues to get good looks from the three-point line. The Cavs made five of 19 three-point shots Saturday. But the way Washington plays leaves opponents open on the perimeter.
“They have a lot of gamblers,” the scout said, “and they play the passing lanes well. When they don’t make the big play, they leave themselves vulnerable and find themselves out of position.
“If you’re strong with the ball and execute, you’ll get open looks.”
Hot on the ice, cold on the mic
When Alex Ovechkin came to Washington, he wanted to improve his English. He never shied from interviews, which was much appreciated by the media — even if it was sometimes difficult to understand what he had said on a tape recorder.
But his fellow countryman from Russia, Alexander Semin, is much different.
Semin makes news when he talks to the English press because it so rarely happens. He does not speak English well and would rather not conduct any interviews.
Semin spoke to the media after Saturday’s 3-2 win in which he scored two goals (giving him six points for the series). He originally spoke to two Russian reporters and then, when the English media wandered over, Semin was “prodded” by the Caps to continue. The Russian reporters, often at Caps games and practices, translated.
Semin’s profile would be raised if he spoke better English or even conducted more interviews.
Ovechkin is proof of how it can help; of course, his play speaks louder than most. His humor shines through in interviews. Semin opts for a quieter approach. And it plays out after practices. A typical scene is reporters crowding around Ovechkin’s locker while Semin’s, right next to his, sits empty.
So will this playoff experience alter Semin’s approach? It’s unlikely.
“He’s still pretty uncomfortable,” one Caps source said.
Ravens eye Flacco for nest
If it were up to some of the draft experts, the Ravens would be wise to wait until later in the round, or maybe in the second, to find their future starter. And that’s where Delaware’s Joe Flacco could be had.
Flacco, and not Boston College’s Matt Ryan could be their solution, thanks to his size (6-foot-6, 232 pounds) and arm strength. The Ravens reportedly are very high on Flacco and have held private workouts with him.
Flacco started his college career at Pitt before transferring to Delaware. Last season, his second as a starter, he threw for 3,300 yards, 18 touchdowns — four coming against Navy — and five interceptions.
His mobility is limited and he worked primarily out of the shotgun, which would cause a steep learning curve in the NFL.
“If he was playing at a major college,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., said, “we’d be debating right now whether he should be the first pick in the draft or ahead of Matt Ryan. I can’t see anyway he gets out of the first round. At the end of the first round, you’ll hear Joe Flacco’s name in there — at worst an early second rounder.”
The Ravens could gamble and hope he falls to them in the second round. Another option is trading up — maybe to the Redskins, picking 21 and desiring to trade down.
“I pass on [Ryan and Louisville’s Brian Brohm] and pray the kid from Delaware makes it to the top of the second,” said Russ Lande, a former scout and now publisher of GM Jr. “The others could be very good, but neither is a franchise quarterback. I’d rather take an elite defensive guy [in the top 10]. He could be this year’s Jay Cutler.”
Billick lands at NFL Network
Brian Billick is back. But he won’t be coaching — at least not on the sideline.
Instead, he’ll serve as an analyst for the NFL Network, starting with the NFL draft this weekend and continuing as an analyst through next season.
Billick will work the draft from New York along with Steve Mariucci, former Redskins general manager Charley Casserly and Rich Eisen.
Billick was always known for his ability to pontificate, often enjoying his verbal sparring with the press. The local media enjoyed him because he was considered a good quote.
The Ravens fired Billick after this past season, his ninth with the team. It’s widely believed that Billick would like to return to coaching, but he’s simply following what many out of work coaches do in the interim: get paid to analyze the game.
Cheers & Jeers will have more on Billick, and what he thinks the Ravens should do in the draft, on Tuesday.
In case you missed it
Once more, we turn to Michael Vick, the star QB-turned-convict. This time, a minor league team in Kansas City wanted to hold a Welcome to the Neighborhood party for Vick, serving his 23-month sentence in Leavenworth, Kan. They planned on having prison uniforms, spotlights and escape sirens. But that has been ditched thanks to numerous complaints. Now they’ll just hold a night that will focus on animal safety and adoptions, complete with a dog parade.
On the record
“I feel like a wuss crying, but it’s been a long time coming.
Finally …”
— Danica Patrick after her first IndyCar series victory Saturday night in Japan.
“He’s the right guy at the right time for the New York Knicks. It’s a one-horse race right now. It’s his time.”
— ABC NBA analyst, and former Knicks coach, Jeff Van Gundy on coaching candidate Mark Jackson.
By the numbers
4: Number of players in baseball history with at least a .300 batting average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks. The four: Frank Thomas, Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. Thomas was released Sunday by the Blue Jays.
0: Number of times in 20 chances the Boston Bruins have won a series after trailing 3-1. They forced a Game 7 tonight vs. Montreal after facing such a deficit.
