The Washington Wizards are hurting real bad in a way that only losing teams with talent can hurt.

Oklahoma City 127 Washington Wizards 108

The Wizards are not just losing, but looking very disoriented while they do it. It is every man for themselves in a constant free agent tryout. This situation has Coach Flip Saunders boiling.

Wizards coach Flip Saunders said changes in the lineup can be expected when the team plays its next game at home Tuesday against Philadelphia. The team is off Sunday and has a practice scheduled Monday.

“We have guys that are frustrated that they’re not playing and I’m sure they are sitting there wanting opportunities,” Saunders said. “And guys will get opportunities starting Monday because we’re not getting it done as it is right now.”
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The only real threat a NBA coach can bring to the table is the threat of playing time and even that is weak, because if the coach loses he will have to take the blame. That is the way it works in the NBA.

The Washington Wizards hit new lows with a loss to Oklahoma City. The defense for the Wizards completely disappeared.

In the final 15 minutes, the Thunder outscored the Wizards 45-27.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 35 points, while Russell Westbrook added 26 and James Harden recorded 25 points. Caron Butler led the Wizards with 24 points, Gilbert Arenas had 23, and Antawn Jamison posted 22 points and 12 assists. Brendan Haywood had 16 rebounds and 14 points.
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No one doubts the talents of Gilbert Arenas

The accusations are flying now with Gilbert Arenas claiming players are playing for themselves and not the team. Yes, Gilbert Arenas said that and yes that is pretty funny.

Gilbert Arenas said players on the team had “hidden agendas,” noting that eight players on the team are free agents following the season.

“I guess when you start losing everyone wants to start pointing fingers everywhere else,” Arenas said. “I converted my game to try to get people involved, but at the end of the day, to be honest, this is the same team since three years ago. We added a couple of pieces, but everybody else is basically the same player.

“I’m sitting here thinking ‘Do I have to go in attack mode like I was two years ago to get us over this hump?’ I hope not. I hope we’re strong enough mentally that we can get over this.”

Arenas leads the team in total points and assists. But heading into Saturday’s game he had taken 55 more shots than the next player.

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That only served to set off Brendan Heywood, who claimed that some players need to check their egos at the door in reference that a certain Agent Zero might just be playing for his points and not for his team.

Will the Wizards pull out of this downward spiral and establish some team chemistry? It seems highly unlikely, but at the same time they may start winning with all the offensive talent on this squad and winning can go a long ways in bringing a team back together.

Image: Zuma Press

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Post from: NBA Obsessed

The Wizards need Gilbert Arenas and maybe Brendan Haywood even more

Washington is 0 – 5. Now you would think they would be a little bothered by that, but that does not seem to be the case.

Whatever the reason, the Washington Wizards profess they are not worried, even if they are the only NBA team without a victory this season. Even if a loss to the Northwest Division-leading Utah Jazz on Wednesday night would drop Washington to 0-6 for the first time in franchise history.

“It’s early,” co-captain Antawn Jamison said after practice Tuesday. “Not even close to pushing the panic button.”

Really?

There isn’t any concern about the season slipping away?

“No. Never. There’s too many games. If we were at this point a month from now and I’m saying, ‘Hey, we’re 0-20,’ I would tell you, ‘Yeah.’ I couldn’t be as positive as I am right now,” said Caron Butler, Washington’s other captain and 2007-08 All-Star.

“But 0-5? We’re cool. (If we were) 0-20? Yeah, I’m in Tahiti right now, mentally. But we’re fine right now.”

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So what is up with the Wizards anyway?

Hmm, a missing Agent Zero does not help, but maybe the real problem is a missing Brendan Haywood.

The Wizards’ defense had taken a step forward last season under the tutelage of new assistant coach Randy Ayers, and much effort was made to funnel foes toward the 7-foot Haywood in the paint. But he is out four to six months after surgery on his right wrist.

“He was the anchor of the whole defense,” reserve forward Darius Songaila said. “He was right there at the back. Everybody knew he was there. He was always talking and pointing and affecting shots and changing shots.”

Photo source Newscom

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Post from: NBA Obsessed