Cavs v Wizards ~ Andray Blatche had a career night, Wizards get the "W"

Yesterday, I was flipped a last minute ticket to the Cleveland Cavaliers v Washington Wizards game at the Verizon Center.  I wasn't overly excited about going to the game, but I thought it'd be a good chance to see an old friend and watch two under-performing squads battle.  I didn't expect much from last night's match-up, especially since John Wall was serving a suspension (i.e. he had scuffled with the Miami Heat's Zydrunas Ilgauskas on Wednesday night).

*****  I'd be lying if the chance to eat Dippin' Dots again didn't factor into the equation also.  I have new found love for those treats.  You'd think they were new, but I've re-discovered my love for the ice cream.  Incidentally, at the Verizon Center, the serving size is smaller than the larger size at the Quicken Loans Arena, but the Verizon Center charges more (i.e. $5).  Beggers can't be choosers, though so I spent the money.  Oh, it's cash only at the Verizon Center so be prepared.

The story of the game was Andray Blatche's performance to lead the Washington Wizards to victory.  That's right, boys and girls, the Wizards won the game.  Blatche had 36 points and 19 rebounds. 16 of Blatche's rebounds were offensive.  JaVale McGee added 25 points, and Jordan Crawford notched a triple-double (i.e. 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds).

In the losing effort for the Cavaliers Ramon Sessions led the team by dropping 26 points.  ****  I remember when he "played" for the Minnesota Timberwolves...

Another thing that was interesting was seeing Baron Davis is a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform.  I actually wonder if he's gotten used to seeing himself in the uniform as well.



The Cavs look very different this season



The Wizards, without Wall, take the court



I may not be familiar with the roster of Byron Scott's Cleveland Cavaliers, but since Ohio will always be "home" I do feel connected to them.  It was great to see Max Benton, the trainer, on the bench still.  Veteran, Strength and Conditioning coach, Stan Kellers, was there also, sitting behind the bench.  It must be strange for them to be a part of and remember the Cavs' glory days and now be a part of the organization...

At least things can only get better for the Cavs franchise...  Right?!?!

Wizards won: 115-107.

THE WIRK

Wizards beat the Timberwolves ~ Kevin Love scored his 50th double-double

Saturday night the Wizards had the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves in town at the Verizon Center.  Kevin Love was in town and brought his 49 game double-double streak to town.  It's no secret that I've seen plenty of Timberwolves' games this season.  I'm actually a fan of the young team and enjoy watching Michael Beasley and Kevin Love play, so when I was offered a free ticket to the game you better believe I took it!

Kevin Love didn't disappoint.   He notched his 50th double-double game, even though the Wizards ended up victorious.  The Wizards went into the game losing 7 games in a row.  Both of the squads are young, but Minnesota hasn't learned to pull out close games YET.  ****  This is a skill the Miami Heat are trying to master also, so I'm not really going to slam Kurt Rambis' team that hard for being young.

Another reason I was interested in the game was because I had yet to see John Wall play a real game "live".  I watched Wall play during the NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge, but that didn't count.  Wall finished the game with a double-double (i.e. 18 points and 11 boards), but Andray Blatche was the Wizards' high scorer (i.e. 20 points).  In a losing effort, Michael Beasley dropped 18 points, but Kevin Love contributed 20 points and 21 boards.  WOW.  50 double-double games, in a row...  ****  Moses Malone's record of 51 consecutive double-doubles looks like it's going down!

This game was winnnable for the Timberwolves, but when asked by the guy next to me if I thought the T'wolves would pull it out, I said, "No."  It was what it was, and the Timberwolves just don't have that killer instinct YET...  Tough loss. 

Final score:  Timberwolves 96, Wizards 103.


THE WIRK

Wizards' McGee and Blatche suspended for tonight's Spurs game ~ Does it even matter?

I was awakened about 20 minutes ago, since my phone went off.  I figured I'd check the NBA schedule and see what the league had in store for me today.  To be honest, today's schedule looks like a whole lot of nothing (i.e. which is fine since Sundays are currently for football for most sports fans).

At any rate, I noticed a headline about the Washington Wizards on NBA.com.  Here's a link to the article:  http://www.nba.com/2010/news/12/25/wizards-suspensions.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2.  Evidently, JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche had an altercation at a club late Thursday/early Friday.  Allegedly they were cursing at each other and may have exchanged punches.  According to the article, The Washington Post reported that police were called to break it up.  ****  I wasn't there, so I have no idea.  Last year or a year ago, I witnessed a "scene" when of the Wizards players was forced to wait outside a Washington DC club while LeBron partied inside.  That occasion was definitely more benign than what the article on NBA.com described.

I guess McGee must've been wearing his jersey when this all went down.  ****  Of course, he wasn't...  That's sarcasm, people.  Seriously though ~ could you pick McGee out of a "line-up"?!?!  I couldn't. 

As for Blatche, of the 2 games I've attended at the Verizon Center, it looks like the Wizards are making him a focal point on the team.  I'm not sure that this is a good idea, but time will tell.  I have my reservations... 

At any rate, both players have been suspended for tonight's game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio.  BFD.  It's not as if the Wizards have a good chance of winning tonight's game anyway... 

Merry Christmas McGee and Blatche, you get a day off. 

****  Honestly, I can't be the only one thinking, "Oh no...  Here we go again."


THE WIRK