[Shanghai Kid]

As I expected, we won.

The first half was kind of ugly, and the first half of the 4th quarter was ugly also, but we closed em out in the end.

This team always seems to have one really bad stretch during a game where we can't buy a basket, but it's surrounded with stretches where we're hitting everything.

[MJG]

Looks like I got to watch the best parts, also known as the third quarter. The offense was a thing of beauty for those twelve minutes. The fouls were also insane. I don't think I've ever seen so many fouls made, and on the flip side, such little advantage taken off of those fouls by the opponent.

Bad job losing the big lead to start the fourth, but at least we didn't go all the way and let them regain the lead. You know what I thought was a big part of that? Having Hayes in instead of JJ. Hayes had a pretty decent game by his standards, but he just doesn't impact us like JJ does. The time their run stopped ran right around the same time we added JJ back into the lineup (although not in place of Hayes).

6-4 certainly has a nice ring to it. Although, it isn't quite as nice a 7-4 ...

[HKF]

Hey MJG, I only watched bits and pieces of this game, but is Jared Jeffries finally becoming a viable NBA player. It seems like he just might be coming into his own from the boxscore. This will bode well for the Wiz, when Kwame and Blake come back, if JJ is finally stepping up.

[MJG]

As far as I could tell, he always had two problems: very little confidence on the court and a putrid offensive game. Quite possible the two were related. The former often made him timid when it came to using his skillset; he was a decent one on one defender, but did little with helping out and running the offense and using his length to bother people. The latter forced us into four on five offense, which he wasn't making up for on defense at the time. It was at the point where an 0-3 shooting night would be a blessing, because at least it wasn't 2-11.

The preseason and first few games didn't make it seem like a whole lot changed. Still timid, still among the worst offensive players in the league. I said something along the lines of "... the only thing he has going for himself is that he's able to bring the ball up at his height." Well, I don't know what happened, but it's like someone turned on a switch a week and a half ago.

He's still not a good offensive player, but he seems to understand that now. He still will take an occasional dud three pointer or badly blow a putback attempt once a game or so, but it is now more of the exception than the rule. JJ has been getting many points off of offensive rebounds, quick cuts from in close on the basket, being the recipient of a nice pass down low -- the type of points he should be scoring, considering his limited game on that half of the court.

The big thing though is that he seems to have gotten a big confidence boost, which makes his play in every other aspect leap. Instead of playing like a kid who's lucky to be on a roster, he seems to look like he feels he belongs on the court. Loves to bring the ball up and initiate the offense, instead of looking sheepish when put into that position. Contesting every shot, sticking tough to his man, making the right switches, everything on defense is sharper and more efficient. On offense, his passes are smarter and his rebounding is tougher.

I don't want to make him sound like a budding star, because he's not. I also don't want to get too giddy over it, as I realize it has only been a good four or so games that he's been playing like this. However, it is promising. From week one of this season all the way back to his earlier days, he looked like he barely belonged in the league. Now, I'm trying to figure out just what rotation we can use when Kwame and Etan are back that will still get him at least in the mid-20's in minutes per game. He's one of those guys that while often unassuming, can add up to be the difference between just making and just missing the playoffs.

[eYeKey]

Yea, Jared is one of those 'difference makers' in doing the little things. Especially in the offensive rebounds department. If he can maintain his defensive work ethic and continue to improve offensively, he'll be a serviceable if not excellent 6th man.

[jazzy1]

I must be a fortune teller because I expected a win with Rafer doing some damage.

Game played about as I figured. We killed the Rapts on the boards our perimeter defense broke down but our Offense in the end kicks in.

We are just better than the Raptors are. They have no bulk inside whatsoever.

JJ played a real good hustle game he's creating a role for himself as is Hayes as a 6th man.

Solid win Maybe when Kwame comes back our offense can play without the lulls because of his inside presence.

[Turkish Delight]

It was a close game, I'm really impressed with how your team looks right now.
When I first heard about that Antawn trade in the off-season, I didn't really understand why you guys would throw away that pick to get him, but I've been proven wrong. He was all over the place tonight.
Good victory.

[NorthEast Wiz]

Hopefully the team can blend Kwame smoothly into the lineup. If we can do this smoothly we will be able to add a low post presence to our already potent offense in addition add Kwame's off ball defense.

EG for President in 2004!