[MJG]

<center>Washington Wizards (2-2)
vs.
Toronto Raptors (3-1)



11.7.03
7:00 PM on CSN
Raptors lead season series 1-0

Key Matchup: SG
vs.

Matchup to Watch: PF
vs.

MJG's Prediction
WAS 84-76 TOR</center>
<hr><center>
WAS 86-60 TOR

Player of the Game

16 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3P), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 28 minutes

NBA.com Box Score

Next Game
11.8.03
7:30 PM on CSN
@ <font color=#A81E38>Cleveland</font> <font color=#997A4F>Cavaliers</font> (0-4)</center>

[twinz2gether]

revenge for the wiz

90-80

Kwame has another good game vs the raptors.

[NorthEast Wiz]

I think we do need to send the ball to Kwame in this game. He had some success in the previous game. He needs needs to pass it from the low post when doubled.

We win this game and go to 3-2.

[erickboy22]

After the Mavs game, I'm hoping the Wiz come out w/ the same intensity and attack Toronto ... Toronto are playing the second game of back2back games ... so they might come out a lil flat ... This is where the Wiz have got 2 jump on them ... and do what they did last week ... [I still am upset that they lost last friday] ... The Wiz match up really well w/ this team ... L. Hughes is going to have another nite of running around screens and going after Vinsanity ... I also hope that the Wiz learned from last week about boxing out and grabbing the rebs ... the last game against Toronto ... they gave up TONS of offensive rebs ... (like i said last week ... gotta watch Jerome Williams (JYD) and Antonio Davis ... keep those guys specifically off the boards)

WIZ WIN 95-87

[jazzy1]

Laetner is starting at center. Two articles in the Times and Post literally serenading the sorry Laetner.

I hate Laetnerr and everything he represents. Last year with a veteran roster I thought he did okay. But this season with a young roster this serves no purpose whatsoever.

Laetner is a horrible man defender, he's soft and takes Kwame postion on the perimeter in this offense. Its part of the reason Kwame was ineffective because Laet was playing his postion. EJ said Laet was in the wrong postion after the game although he made some good plays.

Laet says in the articles that he likes playing with Kwame because Kwame can shoot outside and take people from the wings and doesn't clog the lane.

Laetners statements are very selfish. He wasn't talking up the offense when he wasn't starting. Now he's all gunho.

Laetner is the worse weakside defender in the league. If kwame comes over to contest shots laetner will not cover his back to get the weakside rebounds nor block any shots fron the weakside.

Laet's shot blocks in the last game are a fluke.

Etan Thomas should be our starting center and his hustle and effort supports him earning that spot. Laet wasn't even a Center until the Mavs rolled in town.

How many more games will this franchise have to lose while Laet plays a featured role on this team.

Laetner is the walking and1.

Kwame will be made to look very bad because of Laet. Kwame will essentially be playing center although Laetner will be listed as the center.

Kwame doesn't feel as comfortable playing center but Laet will be standing in all of his spots.

I'm disgusted with the Wizards because EJ is falling into the same pathetic trap that Collins fell in before him.

He's featuring the guards to shoot the ball as much as they want when going inside and developing kwame and Etan and JJ inside is where this franchise should be going.

All last season I watched the "Guards MJ and Stack shoot the Wizards right outta playoff contention and although the names change the same crap is happening this season.Arenas, Hughes and Hayes have replaced Mj, Stack and Hughes. Same stuff different year.

Games that they don't make shots we'll lose. Games they do we will. Going to Kwame and Etan inside forcing teams to double down will open up the offense, get everyone better shots including the gunning guards. But them gunning from 3pt range opens up nothing.

I watched Al Harrington and JO last night play against the Nets they beat the Nets because they took the game inside to the Nets the Pacers developed those two young players now they're effective. It takes time but its worth the time because you get players who'll need to be double teamed.

I like to watch the game played the right way and the right way to play is inside out.

Just my RANT ,

about this game the Wizards win. Don't know how some outside gunning probably although Davis and Williams can't handle Kwame and Etan inside. Maybe Arenas and Hughes catch fire again Maybe not.

[NorthEast Wiz]

Jazzy I think you need to give them a little time. I think this is still an evaluation period for EJ. We did have preseason games but they are used more for individual evaluation purposes and the first 10 (credit to BCH) real games he will be using to determine the team strengths and weaknesses (at least I hope). I hope he is also willing to adjust his offense if needed.

You may end up correct with your assessment that we are strictly a perimeter team but I would give us a few more games before that is conclusive.

As for Etan starting I am all for it although I don't really care about starting provided he gets the majority of the minutes, until he proves that he dosen't deserve them. On defense he scraps and on offense he has a nice little post game now and can even pass out of it when he needs to.

I agree that his defense is week but he is not quite the 'Ole' man that Tracy Murray was.

[NorthEast Wiz]

I'm just tuning in at halftime, 51-23 and damn! What happened? I like it whatever it is. I'm taping the game on the new cox digital cable dvr which is sweet.

Looking forward to the second half.

[MJG]

Well, we've been playing a very good game in pretty much every aspect up to this point, where as the Raptors have done the opposite. They managed to only score 4 points in the second quarter, in combination due to poor shooting and very good defense from us. There's no one specific area that I can think of that we're doing especially great in -- like I said, it just seems that we're playing well in every aspect. We've gotten some post up baskets from Jeffries, some great slashing from Hughes and Arenas, very nice pressure defense from Dixon, tough rebounding from Laettner and Thomas ... basically everything.

[Mattsanity]

Raptors starting line up - Alvin Williams - 29 Years Old, Vince Carter - 26 Years Old, Michael Curry - 35 Years Old, Jerome Williams - 30 Years Old, Antonio Davis - 35 Years Old
Wizards starting line up - Chuck Swirsky said the Wizards have the Youngest starting line up in the NBA.

Isn't it embarrassing for a veteran line up to lose against a 25 and under starting players. I think the concept of a veteran having more experience than 1st year/2nd year/3rd year players should be vice versa now since the Raptors are getting schooled by the Wizards.

[MJG]

With a minute left in the third, we've actually increased our lead by four. EJ is giving the starters some rest, as we have to fly out to Cleveland tomorrow. Score is 68-38 ... the Raptors need to pick up the pace or they're going in the record books for lowest point total (49). They'll probably break that, as they'll get some easy points in garbage time, but it's still pretty bad.

[MikeDC]

My lord, who are these guys? This is a real basketball team.

Laettner at the 5 isn't gonna work against big teams, but these guys are really playing nice. Jeffries and Dixon are both looking like good picks from last year. And obviously the guards have it going on