First of all, fuck the Washington Wizards. I don't care at all for them. I'm all about trash talking and playing good defense. But when a team continues to talk shit and play extremely physical basketball while losing, well they can go to hell. I'm not disappointed by their institution of the LeBron Rules, but more upset at their approach. Instead of carrying a big stick and speaking softly, they carry a twig and cry. They have resorted to thug tactics, as evidenced by Haywoods blatant attempt to injure LeBron that got him ejected.
And if that wasn't enough to make you deplorable, please, don't taunt the opposing home fans when trailing the Cavaliers by 20 in the 4th quarter.
The entire Wizards team is the culprit here. They have no sense whatsoever. Fine, call LeBron overrated. But don't get upset when he dunks on you repeatedly and freight trains his way into the lane every possession. Call us beatable. But don't act like babies expecting the refs to give you every call. Did the Wizards get jobbed on a few calls? Yeah, probably. But the argument could be made that it was a result of their own incessant whining more than anything else.
I really had no problem with the Wizards before this season. I thought they were a fun team to watch with potential to do well. If they were truly sick of losing to the Cavaliers in the first round for two consecutive postseasons, then they should have let their play do the talking. Instead they chose to prod the Eastern Conference Champs and are paying for it. Its all backfiring. The lack of an emotional response by the Cavaliers players has gotten into the Wizards psyche and they have made it personal.
There is something else in this series that seems to garner less attention than the bickering Wizards. LeBron has truly grown into the leader of this team. Sure, he was the unquestionable leader in years past. But now he knows the role and has figured out how to handle his teammates. One example of this is when Gilbert Arenas starting chirping at Delonte West. Delonte gave him a few words back and Gilbert became increasingly agitated. LeBron stepped in and scolded West and went on telling his entire team to stop talking to the Wizards.
He has also succeeded at making this series personal without making it personal. There is no doubt he knew what Stevenson said about him. Thats why in the opener he stared Stevenson down after a dunk and went so far as to use Stevenson's taunt against him. It was classic. But, unlike the Wizards, he didn't change the way he plays the game. He takes outside shots and drives when he sees the opportunity. He still kicks it out to open teammates and trusts them to make open shots.
The Wizards, on the other hand, have tried to beat the Cavs individually. Arenas takes terrible shots, Jamison tries to score on his own, and Butler drives to the hoop with his head down whenever he gets the ball. There is no semblance of team left. They better get their act together, or this series is going to be over by Sunday.
And if that wasn't enough to make you deplorable, please, don't taunt the opposing home fans when trailing the Cavaliers by 20 in the 4th quarter.
The entire Wizards team is the culprit here. They have no sense whatsoever. Fine, call LeBron overrated. But don't get upset when he dunks on you repeatedly and freight trains his way into the lane every possession. Call us beatable. But don't act like babies expecting the refs to give you every call. Did the Wizards get jobbed on a few calls? Yeah, probably. But the argument could be made that it was a result of their own incessant whining more than anything else.
I really had no problem with the Wizards before this season. I thought they were a fun team to watch with potential to do well. If they were truly sick of losing to the Cavaliers in the first round for two consecutive postseasons, then they should have let their play do the talking. Instead they chose to prod the Eastern Conference Champs and are paying for it. Its all backfiring. The lack of an emotional response by the Cavaliers players has gotten into the Wizards psyche and they have made it personal.
There is something else in this series that seems to garner less attention than the bickering Wizards. LeBron has truly grown into the leader of this team. Sure, he was the unquestionable leader in years past. But now he knows the role and has figured out how to handle his teammates. One example of this is when Gilbert Arenas starting chirping at Delonte West. Delonte gave him a few words back and Gilbert became increasingly agitated. LeBron stepped in and scolded West and went on telling his entire team to stop talking to the Wizards.
He has also succeeded at making this series personal without making it personal. There is no doubt he knew what Stevenson said about him. Thats why in the opener he stared Stevenson down after a dunk and went so far as to use Stevenson's taunt against him. It was classic. But, unlike the Wizards, he didn't change the way he plays the game. He takes outside shots and drives when he sees the opportunity. He still kicks it out to open teammates and trusts them to make open shots.
The Wizards, on the other hand, have tried to beat the Cavs individually. Arenas takes terrible shots, Jamison tries to score on his own, and Butler drives to the hoop with his head down whenever he gets the ball. There is no semblance of team left. They better get their act together, or this series is going to be over by Sunday.
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