Well, so much for the theory of poor offensive execution. The Bullets smoked the Celtics, running away in the second half. It must be something about Baltimore Arena, because they are 2-0 there (with convincing wins). All 12 players played, 11 scored (Webster's 2 shots didn't fall). Brent Price came out of his shooting slump. The only negative--the Bullets committed 34 fouls.
Just remind yourself--this is only one game. A season it does not make. Also remember, the Bullets were 6-8 last year, then fell into the depths of losing. *knock, knock*
3 December 95. New York Knicks 107, Washington Bullets 83
(record: 6-9)
Game leaders: Wallace (15 points), Howard (11 rebounds), Pack (3
assists)
Well, I didn't watch this game. It's a good thing I didn't. The Bullets were not in sync during the entire game. Maybe they were trying too hard to prove that the last second loss in November wasn't a fluke. Well, they just plain looked bad. None of the starters played well. They were blown out early and didn't need to worry about catching up during the rest of the game. Let's put this one behind us.
Well, the replacement crews are finally going to 3 refs per game. Hallelujah! At the very least, another set of eyes is needed on the court. That still doesn't mean that the eyes are great (or clued-in), but it may help at least a little.
More importantly, the real refs have verbally agreed to the NBA's standing contract offer, by a close 27-26 vote. The sooner they get out there, the better. Now they're whining about needing time to get prepared, etc. I say, ENOUGH! You're a professional, you should be keeping yourself ready during the off-season. Especially for the money they're paid. They are the best (supposedly), so act like it. Get on the job--you should be ready!
6 December 95. Washington Bullets 96, Atlanta Hawks 79
(record: 7-9)
Game leaders: Webber (27 points), Webber (10 rebounds), B. Price
(6 assists)
Okay, this time the Bullets were ready. Although by their play in the first quarter, you wouldn't have thought so. Behind 24-20 after the first quarter, the Bullets outscored the Hawks 31-12 in the 2nd and never looked back. Webber has his best game since returning, and the Hawks offense just ground to a halt. It was also the smallest crowd at US Air Arena this year, so the game definitely had that pall over it (kinda like the Cleveland game--ugly). 45 turnovers by the two teams doesn't help the pall.
Things get urgent for the Bullets now. 7 of their next 9 games are on the road (starting with Houston and Dallas this Friday and Saturday. This is where the Bullets season fell apart last year--their road trip in December. Hopefully, they fare better.
8 December 95. Houston Rockets 113, Washington Bullets 107
(record: 7-10)
Game leaders: Webber (24 points), Muresan (11 rebounds), Pack (9
assists)
Well, the Bullets hung tough well into the 4th quarter in this game, but the defending two-time champion Houston Rockets (my other favorite team) pulled this one out with Clyde Drexler's heroics at the end. It was a good measure of how much more confident this group of Bullets is compared with past years. I really liked what the Bullets showed in this game, giving nothing away. Webber continues his outstanding shooting and gamesmanship.
9 December 95. Washington Bullets 103, Dallas Mavericks 94
(record: 8-10)
Game leaders: Pack (25 points), Muresan (9 rebounds), Howard (7
assists)
The Bullets nearly gave this one away, but the starting backcourt for the Bullets came up big. In fact, the Bullets guards (Pack, Cheaney, Legler, B. Price) accounted for 67 of the Bullets' points. Dallas' 3-Js sat much of the game on the bench, as it was the bench players that got the Mavs back into this game. The Bullets blocked 9 shots in the first quarter alone, racing out to a 21-6 lead, but the Mavs bench rallied to take a 1 point halftime lead. A surge late in the 3rd quarter put the Bullets ahead for good. If the Bullets lost this one, who knows how the team would feel about itself.
A couple of injury updates. Webber sat out this game because his left shoulder was feeling sore following the Houston game. Much like it did before the Indiana game. So Webber rested for a game and will continue rehab on returning to Washington. Also note that Howard appeared to injure his hip diving for a loose ball, but stayed in the game. It was obviously hurting him during the rest of the game, although the extent of the injury is unknown at the moment.
Well, an old face is the new face on the roster. The Bullets have signed Ledell Eackles to the team. To make room for him, the Bullets cut Jeff Webster. What are the Bullets looking for? Probably a slasher, someone to get to the foul line, a scorer. Webster was more of a jump shooter, and Butler hasn't been providing too much offense recently. So the Bullets may give Eackles a chance to show if he still has that scoring touch.
The Bullets have also signed center Ed Stokes, the other half of the "Rx" Rex Chapman ham sandwich (with Jeff Webster). Stokes is coming off ankle surgery, and was immediately put on IR. The league offices is giving the Bullets a couple weeks to decide if they want to keep him or renounce his rights. Stokes will practice with the team, including on their west coast trip, but it is doubtful he'll be activated. If the Bullets decide to keep him, it is likely that Bob McCann might be cut to make room for another 7-footer on the bench (i.e., someone to play center so that Webber doesn't have to play center when Muresan and McIlvaine get in foul trouble).
12 December 95. Washington Bullets 108, Milwaukee Bucks
102 (record: 9-10)
Game leaders: Webber (25 points), Webber (13 rebounds), Pack (9
assists)
The Bullets are now within one game of .500. In mid-December. It's been a while since they've been this successful. But it wasn't like they wanted this game badly, because they built a 21 point lead in the third quarter, then let it dwindle to 1 point with just over a minute left. Pack came up big with some clutch free throws, and one shot in the lane, to help finally put the Bucks away.
As a side note, this was the first game with the regular referees back. As CWebb said, "Hallelujah!"
15 December 95. Washington Bullets 122, Los Angeles Lakers
114 (record: 10-10)
Game leaders: Webber (37 points), Webber (10 rebounds), Pack (10
assists)
Wow, what a game. The Bullets were able to keep up with the pace of the game for the most part and beat a perennial playoff team, including a fourth quarter run that put the Bullets up for good. Muresan didn't play much, not being able to keep up with the pace. But Chris Webber had a career night, scoring 37 points (a career high) and sparking the Bullets with several highlight reel plays. The last one was an open court steal of Nick van Exel on a cross-over dribble for an uncontested layup with less than a minute left.
The Bullets now play 5 games in 7 days on a west coast road trip. This game has shown that the Bullets have stepped it up one level (reaching .500 in December, a first in quite a while). Now, they need to show their continued improvement with a few wins on the road. We'll see in a week.
17 December 95. Washington Bullets 108, Portland Trailblazers
102 (record: 11-10)
Game leaders: Cheaney (25 points), Muresan (17 rebounds), Pack
(14 assists)
Cheaney finally stands up to be counted. When the rest of the Bullets starters were ice cold shooting in the first quarter, Cheaney turned it up with 10 points. He kept up the pressure most of the game, playing a team high 41 minutes during the game. Muresan set a career high with 17 rebounds, and the Bullets are now IN DECEMBER! Imagine that. Next opponent is the Clippers, so maybe they can get 2 games above .500. You never know...
19 December 95. Washington Bullets 108, Los Angeles Clippers
104 (record: 12-10)
Game leaders: Howard (27 points), Webber (12 rebounds), Pack (9
assists)
Well, the Bullets somehow pulled this game out. They played ugly and were actually down by 4 points after 3 quarters. However, they pulled it out in the end, and that's what matters. Muresan was used and abused by the quicker Brian Williams (33 points), but Juwan was 12 of 14 from the field, using any player that tried to match up with him. Not a great win, but it is a win. Next up, Phoenix, an injury-riddled team that is struggling to identify their core team. However, if the Bullets play like they did tonight, they won't win.
Good news. No, GREAT NEWS! The rumors have been circulating that Mark Price's recovery from foot surgery was proceeding ahead of schedule. In fact, GM John Nash has supposedly circled the January 10th game (at Philadelphia) on his calendar as the first night that Price is expected to be in uniform. It's going to be up to coach Jim Lynam to work out how to get the players minutes. I wouldn't be surprised to see both players on the court at the same time. Both can shoot and handle the ball, so it isn't necessarily a bad thing. That is, unless you're a fan of Brent Price.
20 December 95. Phoenix Suns 106, Washington Bullets 104
(OT) (record: 12-11)
Game leaders: Howard (23 points), Muresan (6 rebounds), Pack, B.
Price (4 assists)
Such a disappointing loss. Very Bullets like in many ways, except one--they showed the heart and determination of a champion and fought and scratched to keep up with the Suns after the Suns finally caught up. But early foul problems (36 committed during the game), missed free throws (15 of 28), getting out-rebounded (49 to 35), and two bone-headed plays by Cheaney may have cost them the game.
It didn't help that CWebb sprained his ankle in pregame warmups and could not play. But the Bullets sprinted to a 21 point second quarter lead. That lead was down to 10 points at halftime, down to 3 after three quarters. Cheaney made his first bone-headed play by rebounding a missed Suns free throw with 3 seconds left and taking off with the ball before a time out could be called. That cost the Bullets time and court position to try and win the game in regulation (it was tied at that point). The second time, he fouled Barkley on a tough shot with the game tied and about 3 seconds left in the first overtime. Barkley makes them both and ices the game.
Howard was a warrior in this game. His three point shot with less than 10 seconds left in overtime to tie the game again was incredible. He demanded (and got) respect from Barkley in this game, there can be no doubt. Howard, while not as athletically gifted as Webber, IS the heart and soul of this team. HE will be the leader, doing the dirty work, while Webber does the flashy and gaudy stuff. The way it should be, two very complementary pieces working in complete harmony.
Big Gheorghe goes Hollywood. Yeah, according to most news reports, Muresan met with Billy Crystal for lunch before the Clippers game to discuss a possible role in Crystal's project to make a "sequel" to "The Princess Bride." The details about the sequel are sketchy, but Gheorghe fits in many ways to the type of character portrayed by the late Andre the Giant. Muresan wouldn't be the same character, but rather that character type--VERY tall Eastern European with decent coordination. Yeah, they are supposedly hard to find.
Muresan's reaction to all of this? He thought it was nice, but also said that he won't let it get to his head. He still prefers the game of basketball. Of course, during the Clippers game, Muresan did (as requested by Crystal) wink and point to Crystal after scoring. Ah, the Hollywood life...
22 December 95. Golden State Warriors 132, Washington Bullets
117 (record: 12-12)
Game leaders: Webber (26 points), Muresan (9 rebounds), Pack (10
assists)
The Bullets are starting to look road-weary. They were generally out-hustled in this game and showed absolutely no interior defense (that I could see). Too many dunks were uncontested--no player stepped up to foul a Warrior and say, "Not in my paint, you don't." The Bullets shot horribly from the free throw line (64.9%) and had as many defensive rebounds as the Warriors had offensive rebounds (16). Those legs are looking weak.
23 December 95. Seattle Sonics 118, Washington Bullets 100
(record: 12-13)
Game leaders: Howard (21 points), Webber (8 rebounds), Pack (5
assists)
I am stunned that the league would try to schedule any team for 5 games in 7 days, much less on the road. The Bullets legs were dead in this exercise in futility. Yeah, the Bullets led after the first quarter, but that was because the Sonics turned the ball over 8 times. The Bullets got blown out in the middle two quarters, and thus ended a disappointing 2-3 road swing. It seems the Phoenix game took a lot out of the Bullets, as they showed very little pride in the last two games. Just get the games over with so they can get home.
The NBA League Office should be ashamed of itself for scheduling 5 games in 7 days, on the road. No team should be put through that. Of course, the Bullets are to blame for accepting that schedule. Let's hope they rebound next Wednesday against the Warriors on national TV (TBS, if you have cable).
27 December 95. Washington Bullets 115, Golden State Warriors
94 (record: 13-13)
Game leaders: Webber (40 points), Webber, Howard (10 rebounds),
Webber (10 assists)
Well, the Bullets stop their three game losing streak in impressive fashion. The game was close through 3 quarters, then the Bullets went on a 22-4 run to start the 4th quarter and put the game away. Calbert Cheaney did not play; he suffered nerve damage in his leg during a fall in the Sonics game and is currently day-to-day on his condition. Ledell Eackles started instead.
Joe Smith was impressive for the Warriors (although Jim McIlvaine may have had the block of the year, cleanly rejecting a running two-handed jam by Smith). But Chris Webber had a career game, with his 5th triple double of his career--40 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists. That's also a career high in points. The home crowd just ate up his and Howard's play. One of the few negatives--the Bullets missed 4 "uncontested" dunks during the game--more than I've ever seen in a season. The blowout could have been a lot worse.
Mark Price is supposed to begin light, non-contact practise today, to see how the healing of his foot is progressing. It probably won't be another week or two before he gets into contact drills, but this is good news for the Bullets. John Nash's recent estimate of January 10 for his first game back may be a bit optimistic, says Mark, but he should be back shortly thereafter. This could be good.
29 December 95. Washington Bullets 127, New York Knicks 120
(OT) (record: 14-13)
Game leaders: Howard (27 points), Howard (11 rebounds), Webber,
Pack (7 assists)
Some good things, some bad things. The Bullets nearly blew a 16 point 4th quarter lead, but held on and forced overtime. Ledell Eackles played well, subbing for the injured Cheaney at starting SG. Howard stepped forward and took charge down the stretch, with a couple of inside baskets to take the lead for good in OT, and Pack made 10 of 12 free throws down the stretch to keep the Knicks at bay. Yeah, Ewing didn't play for the Knicks (sprained ankle), but the Bullets still beat the Knicks for the first time in 16 games.
The bad thing may be that Webber re-injured his shoulder. In OT, he tripped over a prone Charles Oakley and landed awkwardly on his outstretched left arm. According, to CWebb, his shoulder popped in and out, but ultimately stayed in. However, the joint is sore and stiff, and may be out for an indeterminate number of games, while he rests and rehabs the shoulder (again). The clock is ticking on how much longer Webber can last, but he's playing well when he's out there. Let's hope he continues to play well for a long time.
30 December 95. Washington Bullets 96, Milwaukee Bucks 87
(record: 15-13)
Game leaders: Legler (19 points), Muresan (13 rebounds), Pack (6
assists)
Well, this one was ugly for the Bullets early. Behind by double digits late in the second quarter, the tired Bullets got their act together and put away the disappointing Milwaukee Bucks. All 5 starters scored in double figures, but it was reserve Tim Legler who lead the team in scoring--and he even missed a free throw! The Bullets won this one without Webber and Cheaney, who were out with a sore shoulder and ankle, respectively. But with this win, the Bullets finish the month at two games over .500. More on this great month below.
Who can we blame/praise for this turnaround? Well, Webber's return sure was a breath of fresh air. He really added another dimension to this team, with his all-around game really taking the team to another level. He looks like he might come close to earning his money (in NBA terms), as long as he continues to improve. He's hitting 3-pointers regularly, shooting 10 percentage points better from the free throw line, and has a couple of nice moves in the lane now.
The bench play is much improved, especially by Brent Price. Brent struggled in November, but he was much improved in December. He wasn't turning the ball over as much, he controlled the offense well, and allowed Pack some good minutes of rest during games. Legler got better with more minutes, and Eackles shows that he can still score with the best of them (after Cheaney went down with the leg injury).
The Bullets mood is even more improved by the fact that Mark Price is already practising and may be recovered a full month before anticipated. I expect Pack to continue to hold the starting PG spot when Mark returns, but Mark will get significant minutes off the bench. Expect to see both Pack and Mark Price on the court together at times, as a team that can simultaneously run and play half court. The only negative in this situation may be that Brent Price's continued development as a backup PG may be stunted in this situation. Only time will tell how this situation works out.
Lastly, let's recap the team leaders this month and season in game points, rebounds, and assists.
wtf 2 January 1996
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