The Big Cactus seeks Desert Flower

What with Shaq being in the midst of a divorce and all of a sudden being traded across the country, I can’t imagine he isn’t looking for some companionship of the female kind. But let’s face it; he’s got to be picky and careful so I imagined what his personals ad might look like. See what you think:

Great looking and almost divorced father of many (but with the resources to have them taken care of) is seeking a lovely lady for a human hulk of a man that truly is full of burning love. Currently employed by a professional basketball team in the Valley of the Sun, I have also lived and worked in Orlando, Los Angeles and Miami. I am the proud owner of a college degree from LSU but never use a lick of it while working. The lady I am seeking should be gorgeous, feminine, and flexible about traveling 8-9 months a year or staying put and having me fly around alone. She should be in great shape, willing to have me dictate how she appears in public, pick her fashion stylist, hair and make-up artists and generally make all such decisions for her. I love to play with kids so if she has any, just add them to my entourage. I have been called a big kid so I don’t fake it when I love spending time with them. Although I am child like in my play time, I am fiercely competitive in all other areas of my life. I must have the best and biggest collection of everything: cars, sports memorabilia, music and movie collections and homes. Any lady brave enough to respond will be lavished with sharing all my toys and in my success, but must expect to sign a contract that she can’t actually own any of it unless the relationship ends up becoming serious. Serious to me is someone who can understand all my needs, make sure my attitude and ego are always soothed, deal with publicity that might not be flattering, and understand that my weight fluctuates based on my moods. In that way I think any lady should find it easy to understand: I’m an emotional eater and frankly hate to work out. That doesn’t mean I like or will accept the same behavior in a romantic partner. Being on the arm of someone like me means that there can never be one photo that would make the front page of Us Weekly with a visible panty line, a pinch of flesh around the waist, a less than ample bosom or a face that is not professionally sculpted. She must understand my need to have many friends around at all times, be able to deal with a very angry soon to be ex-wife, bad publicity from my time with other organizations and last but not least my choice for a profession after I am done with this one. I want to be a law enforcement officer if I can get a custom made uniform to fit my frame. If you are afraid of guns please don’t apply. Recent photos, full background check, including credit status will be necessary. But let’s see where it goes after you pass the approval test. I know I can make you happy….if you do the same for me.

Want more: Read my Daily Dose of Duffy column at www.incidentalcontact.com

© 2008 Incidental Contact, LLC

The Thrill on the Hill

Can you imagine what Roger Clemens had to get Debbie, his wife as a gift for Valentine’s Day? A day after he told the world that she used HGH, but he didn’t (allegedly), what is an appropriate way to say I love you? Oh I don’t know….a vacation from HIM, might be nice. I need some alone time away from him myself since it has been my focus for weeks and the radio interviews never cease on the subject. And of course Congress members don’t want to be nasty on a day dedicated to love thus the hearings were conveniently scheduled for the day prior. So what did we learn from all the grandstanding on Wednesday if anything? We learned that no matter what your status in life you are asked to make hard choices; your mettle is tested and your conscience gets tweaked. The path you take when tested can define you. I believe that this is the biggest lesson we learned yesterday. Other than that, I don’t think many people changed their minds about who is lying unless, like me, you think there is a slight crack in the door for Clemens based on the “mis-hearing” or “mis-remembering” on the part of Andy Pettitte about conversations that are as old as 8 years ago and some as recent as 4 years ago. <br/><br/> Think about it this way: 2 people are witnesses to a traffic accident and give differing accounts about basic facts to the cops when asked. Are they lying or are they remembering what registered with them and filling in the blanks on the rest? This is why people sue when they are injured because if everyone was telling the same story there wouldn’t be a reason to have a trial…unless the amount of money asked for is outlandish. Does this mean that I think that Andy Pettitte is suffering from this syndrome? Maybe. But unfortunately for Roger, Andy’s memory is only about conversations in which alleged steroids and HGH use were the topics. He wasn’t present during any injections. Brian McNamee testified that Pettitte used and so did Chuck Knoblach. Both of these guys have admitted the truth of McNamee’s statements. That is the hump Clemens can’t get over; the presumption that McNamee lied about Roger but not the others. <br/><br/>As Chuck Woolery used to say on the show called Love Connection: so how did the date end? Well, we have feds ready to pore over all the testimony from Wednesday and if they think it’s worth their time and taxpayer money, they will open a formal investigation to determine if perjury was committed. They will subpoena everyone Clemens ever played with and see if they can shake the tree to find something to hang their hat on. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that I can stand 2 perjury trials in the same year involving arguably the greatest hitter of our time and the greatest pitcher. I just want to know if the Yankees have enough pitching in place to do better than last year. I’ll bet a lot of you out there feel exactly the same.

Want more: Read my Daily Dose of Duffy column at www.incidentalcontact.com

© 2008 Incidental Contact, LLC

Shaq goes West

Phoenix Suns newest acquisition, Shaquille O’Neal, addresses the media for the first time as a member of the Suns. Photo credit Andrew D. Bernstein/ NBAE-Getty Images

Will Shaq be a diesel or a dump?

“Anything you can do I can do better,” must have been the song sang by Steve Kerr, president and general manager of the Phoenix Suns, when he learned of the blockbuster trade orchestrated by the Los Angeles Lakers.  

Not to be outdone by their Western Conference foes acquisition of All-Star forward Pau Gasol, the Suns brokered their own epic trade by acquiring the 7-foot-1-inch – 312 pound Shaquille O’Neal.  

Realizing their past inability to play for a championship without the presence of a true “big man” and motivated by the Lakers instant improvement, the Suns took a risk in acquiring the four time champion who is oft times injured.  

Kerr described the trade as a “gamble,” but one “well worth taking.”  

While the Lakers are being applauded and touted as the best team in the West because of the Gasol acquisition, the jury is deliberating if O’Neal can be to the Suns what is expected that Gasol will be to the Lakers. But O’Neal, like a defendant standing trial, claims the charges – too heavy and old, out of shape and injured too frequently – are unwarranted. O’Neal believes with the fresh start he will prove that he remains a productive player who will help win championships. 

“You all are going to be surprised,” O’Neal said about what he will contribute to a Suns championship run. Don’t upset me, “when I’m upset I’m known to do things like win championships.”  

This is a trade that potentially could be good; bad or possibly ugly. 

THE GOOD 

The Suns need a “big man” 

For all of the success that the Suns have experienced during the past three seasons, they have yet to be able to get past the Western Conference Finals. In the 2004-05 conference final, the Suns lost four games to one to the San Antonio Spurs, and the following season four games to two to the Dallas Mavericks. They also lost to the Spurs four games to two in last year’s conference semi-finals.  O’Neal gives the Suns that haven’t had in long time. 

 Low post presence 

A lack of low-post defensive presence has been the culprit for the Suns inability to move into the NBA Finals. Although O’Neal is not noted for his defensive presence – as a matter of record that’s always been consider the weakest part of his game – he stills stands more then seven-feet tall and weighs greater than 300 pounds. This makes him a presence that could serve as a deterrent.  Tim Duncan, Erick Dampier and Gasol due not want to do battle with O’Neal for 30 or 40 minutes a game in the playoffs. 

On the offensive side of the floor O’Neal still demands attention. He is a diminishing superstar, but his girth demands that NBA coaches, game plan for his presence. The Suns have proven they are the premiere running team, but they have struggled in their half court sets. O’Neal has proven during his career that he’s no ball hog. He gave it up and made it easier for Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. His willingness to pass will work well in the Suns’ offensive sets and could play a larger role in his teammate’s ability to be as free as bird on the perimeter. 

O’Neal is motivated  

It’s no secret that O’Neal, at this stage of his career, has no real desire to play in those first 82 games, but for the 12 to 21 games played in the playoffs. This makes the O’Neal-Suns marriage one that is “evenly yoked.” The Suns are not necessarily looking for his contributions during the regular season, but during the post-season.  

Talk about motivation; ascending from the worst team in the League to the best team in the West is the motivation O’Neal needs to get his game in gear.  

O’Neal’s divorce is more motivation 

The Cinderella marriage that occurred between O’Neal and the Miami Heat four years ago was steadily becoming a marriage in hell. The Heat was losing with regularity and O’Neal apparently was tire of Pat Riley, Heat’s head coach, and his militarist coaching methods. 

The improvement of Amare Stoudemire  

O’Neal’s presence will make Amare Stoudemire better. Stoudemire, averaging 20.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game during his five year career, achieved his All-Star stats playing out of position at the center spot. With O’Neal now occupying the five spot, Stoudemire can move to his natural four position. It will take Stoudemire some time to figure out how to play with O’Neal occupying the real estate he’s been accustomed to dominating, but the adjustment shouldn’t be too difficult.   

THE BAD 

Often injured 

Superman has been more like Clark Kent. In the past three seasons he has missed 79 games due to injury. He missed 21 games in the 2005-06 season because of a sprain ankle; 42 in 2006-07 because of knee surgery and 14 this season because of quad and hip injuries. It’s hard to help a team win a championship when you are consistently dressed in a suit and tie and not shorts and sneakers.  

Can’t run 

The general perception is that O’Neal can’t run in the Suns high-octane system. Factor in that all of O’Neal’s injuries have been related to his legs and it’s easy to conclude that he may not be able to run. But O’Neal challenges these claims and I might agree; it wasn’t  required of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to get up and down the court, but to just get there incase the fast brake failed to score.  

Declining stats 

O’Neal’s stats have declined in each of his past three seasons with the Heat. In his inaugural season with the Heat O’Neal played 34 minutes, scored 22.9 points on 60 percent shooting; grabbed 10.4 rebounds per game. His scoring average dropped almost nine points to 14.2 this year – 20.0 in 2005-06 and 17.3 in 2006-07 ); he’s grabbing approximately 2 ½ less rebounds and playing on average six minutes less than he had four years ago.  

Skill deficiencies  

The Suns are one of the worst rebounding teams in the League (29th). O’Neal’s rebounding isn’t one of his strong skills; this year he is averaging 7.8 per game. Shawn Marion, traded for O’Neal, is averaging 9.9 rebound per games. The Suns lost 2.1 rebounds in the deal.  O’Neal has earned All Defensive Second Team honors three times in his career, but a defensive stalwart O’Neal is not and defense is what the Suns need if they are going to have a chance to play for the Lawrence O’Brien Trophy.  

THE UGLY 

O’Neal has experienced two ugly divorces and those don’t include the one he is going through with his wife. His exit from Los Angeles was less than amicable, and while his departure from Miami was less acrimonious it never-the-less was a split that was wanted by O’Neal and Heat management.  If O’Neal fails to deliver a championship to the Suns as he promised this trade could be real ugly.    

“Anything you can do I can do better,” must have been the song sang by Steve Kerr, president and general manager of the Phoenix Suns, when he learned of the blockbuster trade orchestrated by the Los Angeles Lakers.  Not to be outdone by their Western Conference foes acquisition of All-Star forward Pau Gasol, the Suns brokered their own epic trade by acquiring the 7-foot-1-inch – 312 pound Shaquille O’Neal.  Realizing their past inability to play for a championship without the presence of a true “big man” and motivated by the Lakers instant improvement, the Suns took a risk in acquiring the four time champion who is oft times injured.  Kerr described the trade as a “gamble,” but one “well worth taking.”  While the Lakers are being applauded and touted as the best team in the West because of the Gasol acquisition, the jury is deliberating if O’Neal can be to the Suns what is expected that Gasol will be to the Lakers.  But O’Neal, like a defendant standing trial, claims the charges – too heavy and old, out of shape and injured too frequently – are unwarranted. O’Neal believes with the fresh start he will prove that he remains a productive player who will help win championships.  “You all are going to be surprised,” O’Neal said about what he will contribute to a Suns championship run. Don’t upset me, “when I’m upset I’m known to do things like win championships.”  This is a trade that potentially could be good; bad or possibly ugly. THE GOOD The Suns need a “big man” For all of the success that the Suns have experienced during the past three seasons, they have yet to be able to get past the Western Conference Finals. In the 2004-05 conference final, the Suns lost four games to one to the San Antonio Spurs, and the following season four games to two to the Dallas Mavericks. They also lost to the Spurs four games to two in last year’s conference semi-finals.  O’Neal gives the Suns that haven’t had in long time.  Low post presence A lack of low-post defensive presence has been the culprit for the Suns inability to move into the NBA Finals. Although O’Neal is not noted for his defensive presence – as a matter of record that’s always been consider the weakest part of his game – he stills stands more then seven-feet tall and weighs greater than 300 pounds. This makes him a presence that could serve as a deterrent.  Tim Duncan, Erick Dampier and Gasol due not want to do battle with O’Neal for 30 or 40 minutes a game in the playoffs. On the offensive side of the floor O’Neal still demands attention. He is a diminishing superstar, but his girth demands that NBA coaches, game plan for his presence. The Suns have proven they are the premiere running team, but they have struggled in their half court sets. O’Neal has proven during his career that he’s no ball hog. He gave it up and made it easier for Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. His willingness to pass will work well in the Suns’ offensive sets and could play a larger role in his teammate’s ability to be as free as bird on the perimeter. O’Neal is motivated  It’s no secret that O’Neal, at this stage of his career, has no real desire to play in those first 82 games, but for the 12 to 21 games played in the playoffs. This makes the O’Neal-Suns marriage one that is “evenly yoked.” The Suns are not necessarily looking for his contributions during the regular season, but during the post-season.  Talk about motivation; ascending from the worst team in the League to the best team in the West is the motivation O’Neal needs to get his game in gear.  O’Neal’s divorce is more motivation The Cinderella marriage that occurred between O’Neal and the Miami Heat four years ago was steadily becoming a marriage in hell. The Heat was losing with regularity and O’Neal apparently was tire of Pat Riley, Heat’s head coach, and his militarist coaching methods.  The improvement of Amare Stoudemire  O’Neal’s presence will make Amare Stoudemire better. Stoudemire, averaging 20.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game during his five year career, achieved his All-Star stats playing out of position at the center spot. With O’Neal now occupying the five spot, Stoudemire can move to his natural four position. It will take Stoudemire some time to figure out how to play with O’Neal occupying the real estate he’s been accustomed to dominating, but the adjustment shouldn’t be too difficult.   THE BAD Often injured Superman has been more like Clark Kent. In the past three seasons he has missed 79 games due to injury. He missed 21 games in the 2005-06 season because of a sprain ankle; 42 in 2006-07 because of knee surgery and 14 this season because of quad and hip injuries. It’s hard to help a team win a championship when you are consistently dressed in a suit and tie and not shorts and sneakers.  Can’t run The general perception is that O’Neal can’t run in the Suns high-octane system. Factor in that all of O’Neal’s injuries have been related to his legs and it’s easy to conclude that he may not be able to run. But O’Neal challenges these claims and I might agree; it wasn’t  required of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to get up and down the court, but to just get there incase the fast brake failed to score.   Declining stats O’Neal’s stats have declined in each of his past three seasons with the Heat. In his inaugural season with the Heat O’Neal played 34 minutes, scored 22.9 points on 60 percent shooting; grabbed 10.4 rebounds per game. His scoring average dropped almost nine points to 14.2 this year – 20.0 in 2005-06 and 17.3 in 2006-07 ); he’s grabbing approximately 2 ½ less rebounds and playing on average six minutes less than he had four years ago.  Skill deficiencies  The Suns are one of the worst rebounding teams in the League (29th). O’Neal’s rebounding isn’t one of his strong skills; this year he is averaging 7.8 per game. Shawn Marion, traded for O’Neal, is averaging 9.9 rebound per games. The Suns lost 2.1 rebounds in the deal.  O’Neal has earned All Defensive Second Team honors three times in his career, but a defensive stalwart O’Neal is not and defense is what the Suns need if they are going to have a chance to play for the Lawrence O’Brien Trophy.  THE UGLY O’Neal has experienced two ugly divorces and those don’t include the one he is going through with his wife. His exit from Los Angeles was less than amicable, and while his departure from Miami was less acrimonious it never-the-less was a split that was wanted by O’Neal and Heat management.  If O’Neal fails to deliver a championship to the Suns as he promised this trade could be real ugly.    

Creepy Medical Waste and the Men Who Discuss It

It’s one thing for a woman who is a mistress to a married man to keep a dress with DNA on it in the form of semen and it’s quite another for a male trainer of a famous male athlete to keep gauze pads and syringes with trace evidence of blood on it. Why? Well because as twisted as it sounds, a woman’s friends who she has told about the affair realize that when you diddle around with the President of the United States and he’s married to someone like Hillary, you might have to prove your credibility. But one guy injecting another in the rear end some 6-8 years ago and keeping “evidence” of his breaking and entering through the rear door is beyond odd: it’s creepy.

And yet, that’s what we learned that Brian McNamee has done and given the petrified remains to Congress prior to him showing up on Capitol Hill today to begin his private deposition. Who do you think was given the icky chore of receiving the evidence on some Congress member’s staff? Bet it was an intern who hopefully knew enough to go out and buy plastic gloves to even touch whatever package the stuff came in. Now we legal/sports commentator types are sitting here in the middle of a crime scene investigation; having to discuss DNA, blood type, and trying to figure out what the heck is left of the substances shot into the rear end of Roger Clemens. This isn’t what I dreamed of growing up as a little girl when I idolized Roger Maris. If we had analyzed things back then we would have had to get a shrink to comment about why Roger seemed unhappy the closer he came to breaking Babe Ruth’s record. To compare his performance to that of Ruth’s, which is one of the absolute necessities now if an athlete’s record breaking activities are to be truly celebrated we’d also have to go back 3-4 decades prior to Maris’ time to examine what could have helped Babe be the Babe. How ridiculous.

And yet, we are going to be spectators to this awful spectacle in the next week that pits former friends and confidantes against each other. I think that Roger’s lawyers are smart enough to know that in the court of public opinion they’ll have a split decision about whether crusty gauze pads with Roger’s DNA means that he juiced. But in the real courts, the utility of things that can’t be certified as being locked in a hermetically sealed vault for years will not help Brian McNamee’s credibility. The person Clemens should fear is Andy Pettitte. He’s credible, has no motive to lie about his friend, or former friend at this point and if he has any insight that helps the fickle finger of fate point at Roger, the Rocket might lose in both courts. All this while Shaq showed up in the owner’s box in Phoenix last night and pointed to his finger to show the folks where the Championship ring will fit once he gets on the court with the team. Seems to me, it was less than 9 months ago that one Roger Clemens did practically the same thing in Yankee Stadium when the faithful thought they’d be on the super highway to the World Series. How did that work out? Oh yeah, it was a bust.

Want more: Read my Daily Dose of Duffy column at www.incidentalcontact.com

© 2008 Incidental Contact, LLC

Celtics-Lakers XI: Could be!

The road is paved for Celtics-Lakers rematch

Is it possible that the sequel to the Boston Celtics-Los Angeles Lakers rival will return to our television in June?  The thought isn’t necessarily out of the question; especially to Paul Pierce, the Celtics All-Star forward. “I know they’re [Lakers] pumped up,” said Pierce in a Boston Globe interview.

“They want to see that Boston-LA. It could be possible. It would be good for the NBA. I know that. They’re going to be scary out West.” 

Many NBA analysts believe the San Antonio Spurs won’t repeat as champs claiming they are old, out of sync (I don’t agree, but that’s another story for another time)and have yet to win back-to-back championships. And the Detroit Pistons, who many feel have a chance to be the last team standing, are in my opinion classic underachievers who need to win another championship before they can be consider contenders for anything. But the Celtics and Lakers are in position to regenerate their 50 year rivalry. 

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The historic battles that once took place between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain and reignited between  Magic Johnson and Larry Bird have been but a flickering flame for the last 20 years, but the Lakers’ acquisition of Pau Gasol last week may be the accelerant that re-establishes this championship rivalry. 

 

Last Friday the Lakers acquired Gasol in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. The trade, which can only be described as a steal, instantly enhances the Lakers chances for competing for a NBA title.

 

Pau Gasol (16) debuts in his first game with his new teammate Kobe Bryant (24).

Gasol, a former All-Star, brings his 18.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.44 blocks shots per game to the Lakers (30-16), currently the fifth best record in the Western Conference. 

Adding Gasol to a lineup that includes Kobe Bryant (the League’s best player), Andrew Bynum (potentially the League’s “Comeback Player of the Year), and the versatile Lamar Odom places L.A. in an excellent position to push the Spurs for that Western Conference title. 

While the Lakers are a much improved team in the West the Celtics, with their summer acquisitions of All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, are ruling the East. Currently the Celtics are League’s best team with a 34-8 record. The instant improvement of these two storied franchises definitely rekindles a rivalry that began in 1958.  

Doc Rivers, Celtics coach, will be excited to face the Lakers once again this season. The next game that Boston plays against the Lakers this season – if this occurs – will be in the NBA Finals.  

“If we were to see the Lakers again, I think we’d all be very happy,” said Rivers. 

The clubs have concluded their regular season match-up. The Celtics won 107-94 in Boston on Nov. 23 and 110-91 on Dec. 30 in Los Angeles.  

From 1958-59 to 1986-87 the Celtics and Lakers have competed 10 times for the NBA Championship; Boston won eight. During the 1958-59 season the Lakers were in Minneapolis.  

The tradition of the Celtics-Lakers battles that began in the early ‘60s with Elgin Baylor (Lakers) and the Celtics Tommy Heinsohn, and continued in the ‘70s with Chamberlain and Russell and ‘80s with Johnson and Bird, will now be continued with Bryant and Allen, Pierce and Odom and Gasol and Garnett. 

Stay tune for the NBA’s “coming attraction,” slated for a June release. It could be interesting!

 

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, serves as Senior NBA Analyst for Sports Journey Radio. You can listen to his analyst Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4:40 P.M. and 4:54 P.M. on ESPN 1240 in Delmarva, Maryland and Saturday’s on The US Sports Radio Network.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kobe sparks victory over the Wiz

Kobe Bryant ignited Super Bowl festivites by dropping 19 points in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards. Caron Butler (3), Antawn Jamison (4), Nick Young (1) and Darius Songalia (9) look on as Bryant scores two of his game high 30 points. Photo credit Ned Dishman/Getty Images.

Lakers lead wire-to-wire

The Washington Wizards unknowingly found themselves in the thick of a Los Angeles bush fire. While DeShawn Stevenson picked up three fouls – in the first 5:25 minutes of the game – trying to guard Kobe Bryant, “Sir Kobe” poured in 19 of his game high 30 points in the first quarter. Bryant’s aggressiveness led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 103-91 victory over the Wizards. 

At the conclusion of the first quarter Bryant outscored the Wizards by himself. He dropped in 19 – the Wizards scored just 15.  

“Tonight they caught fire offensively,” explained Antawn Jamison. “Kobe [played] phenomenal in the first half. [He’s] pretty much the best player in the League and when he gets it going it’s hard to make it difficult for him. They [Lakers] caused us to force some things that prevented us from getting into a rhythm offensively or defensively.”  

Jamison led the Wizards with 21 points and Caron Butler added 15, but the Wizards lack of defensive intensity combined with poor offensive execution played critical roles in the Wizards 22nd defeat. 

Defensively the Wizards allowed the Lakers to shoot 56.2 percent, while converting just 34 of 79 shot attempts (43 percent). They also handed out a puny 18 assist. Antonio Daniels and Stevenson collectively scored five points and contributed two assist. Brendan Haywood scored six points while pulling down three rebounds.  

“We didn’t play as a group as well as we needed to play in order to beat a team as good as the Lakers,” said Wizards coach Eddie Jordan. “It’s disappointing that we had to play like that tonight, [but] you have to compliment the Lakers. They work hard. They put good defense on us.”  

Jamison grabbed 11 rebounds to record his 27th double-double of the season. Butler, who missed his first shot from the charity line after converting 73 consecutive free throws, returned to the lineup after missing three games due to a left hip flexor strain. 

Roger Mason and Nick Young each scored 14 points, collectively converting on 11 of 21 shots. Blatche, who had started the previous three games for the injured Butler and averaged 16.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in about 35 minutes per game, scored six points and grabbed four rebounds in 22 minutes of action.  

Jordan said he was disappointed in how the Wizards played for “the full 48 minutes.” He added that they “took shortcuts” and failed to “play with enough passion or concentration.”  

With Butler, Daniels, Stevenson and Haywood on the bench, Jordan appeared to concede defeat with 4:51 remaining when he replaced Jamison with Dominic McGuire. 

The defeat was the Wizards third consecutive loss. They lost to the Toronto Raptors Wednesday in Toronto and the Utah Jazz on Friday at the Verizon Center. The Lakers, on a nine game east coast road trip, have won two of the first three games.  

Not everyone at the Verizon Center was disappointed with the Wizards loss. The capacity crowd consisted of a large contingent of Lakers/Bryant supporters. At the 9:08 mark of the fourth quarter a chant “Let’s go Lakers,” echoed throughout the arena. But the faithful Wizards fans drowned out the chorus with their melody of boos. 

Paul Gasol in a pre-game workout with Kobe Bryant. AP Photo

The Lakers were without the service of their new acquisition Pau Gasol, who did participate in individual pre-game drills. Gasol was acquired in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday for former Wizards No. 1 draft pick Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and draft rights to the Lakers first round draft choices in the 2008 and 2010 draft. 

Note: The Wizards play their next home game Wednesday night against the San Antonio Spurs at the Verizon Center; game time is 7 P.M.                      

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, serves as Senior NBA Analyst for Sports Journey Radio. You can listen to his analyst Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4:40 P.M. and 4:54 P.M. on ESPN 1240 in Delmarva, Maryland and Saturday’s on The US Sports Radio Network.   

                 

Wizards hit a sour note

Antawn Jamison and Carlos Boozer (5), both named as reserves in this year’s All-Star game, match up in  Friday night contest. Photo credit Ned Dishman/Getty Images

Utah jazz the Wizards

The Washington Wizards held All-Star forward Carlos Boozer to just four points. Deron Williams, deserving of an All-Star invite, was held to11 points. Despite the great defensive effort giving by the Wizards they were defeated 96-87 by the Utah Jazz. 

“We gave great effort [tonight],” explained Wizards’ coach Eddie Jordan. “We held them to 42 percent shooting . . . that’s pretty good defense.”    

In front of capacity Verizon Center crowd the Wizards held the Jazz to 42.4 percent shooting. The Jazz, the League’s leader in field goal percentage shooting 49.3 percent per game are fifth in points scored (105.2) per game.  

Boozer, named as a reserve to this year’s All-Star game last Thursday, converted one of nine field goal attempts and scored his first basket at the 2:12 minute mark of the third quarter.  

Williams shooting .515 percent from the field (22nd in the League) converted just five of 14 shots, but four of the shots were made in the fourth quarter. 

The Wizards defensive effort was deserving of a victory, but it was their offensive deficiency that became their weak link.   

Led by Antawn Jamison who was just two rebounds shy of recording his 27th double-double of the season scored 31 points and grabbed eight rebounds. But the Wizards shot 37.8 percent from the field; 15.8 percent from the arc and dished out only 12 assist.  

“We didn’t shoot the ball well,” Jordan said. “We just couldn’t score; we couldn’t keep the scoring pace.  

Jamison, named to the All-Star team on Thursday, played like an All-Star from the game’s opening tip; he recorded a steal, block shot and two rebounds in the first minute and 56 seconds of the game.  

“Antawn is carrying the load [right now],” Jordan said, adding, “We just didn’t have anybody else to pick up the slack.” 

Caron Butler, also named to the All-Star team, was unable to offer his all-star contributions having missed his second consecutive game with a left hip flexor strain.   

Andray Blatche starting in place of the injured Butler registered his third career double-double scoring 19 points and grabbing13 rebounds (Butler-like statistics). His contributions filled in admirably for Butler, but his play as a starter along with the contributions of Antonio Daniels depletes bench contributions.  

The physical play of the Jazz wore on the Wizards. The Jazz outrebounded the Wizards by 10 rebounds (49 to 39) and were plus five (17-12) in second chance points.     

“This team is one of the most physical team in the league, if not the most physical.  To fight that war for 48 minutes that’s a compliment to our team,” Jordan said.   

Note: Jamison and Butler’s 2007-08 All-Star selection marks the third consecutive year that two Wizards have been named All-Stars. Jamison and Gilbert Arenas were named for the 2005-06 game and Arenas and Butler played in the 2006-07 game. Kobe Bryant and the 28 and 16 Los Angeles Lakers will play the Wizards in a Sunday Super Bowl matinee. The Lakers chances of competing for a NBA championship improved with their acquisition of All-Star forward Pau Gasol. The seven-foot Gasol is averaging 18.9 points and almost nine rebounds this season. In return for seven year veteran the Memphis Grizzlies acquired Kwame Brown (Wizards former No. 1 pick 2001 draft choice), guards Javaris Crittenton and Aaron Mckie (signed with the Lakers on yesterday – McKie was serving as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers this season), the draft rights to Marc Gasol (Pau’s younger brother) and the first round picks in 2008 and 2010. Brown was traded to Los Angeles for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins on Aug. 2, 2005.           

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, serves as Senior NBA Analyst for Sports Journey Radio. You can listen to his analyst Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4:40 P.M. and 4:54 P.M. on ESPN 1240 in Delmarva, Maryland and Saturday’s on The US Sports Radio Network.