Mind Pinball

Dear Wizards,

While I appreciate the efforts you have made throughout the last few seasons in getting to the playoffs, it is time for a series win. This season appeared to be your best chance; you were facing your nemesis, the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third straight season. Even though the Cavs finished ahead of you in the standings, no one other than the Cavalier faithful was ready to anoint them to defend their Eastern Conference Championship from a year ago. In fact, the signs were there that even with the greatness of LeBron James, the team had been inconsistent since their big trade with the Chicago Bulls. With the improved (for you, at least) defensive effort and increased efficiency at moving the ball around and getting good shots, now was the time to take the next step.

And then the trash-talking began.

Now, I am on record as believing that no one should talk trash, just play the game. But I understand in basketball culture, from the playground to the NBA, that trash talk has existed for years.  Even when I used to play, I tried to do some myself. But I found that trash talk can be nothing but empty boasts if you can’t back it up, or your team doesn’t win the game.  In looking at the current roster, I don’t see many (if any) players who can claim more than one playoff series win.  Therefore, I don’t see anyone who should open their mouths to trash talk anyone. (Yes, Messrs. Stevenson, Haywood and Arenas, I’m looking at you). Considering that the Wizards have been eliminated from the postseason title chase in the previous two years by the same Cavaliers, I don’t think it wise to have to trash talk the opposition this go ’round, unless deep down you really didn’t think you were good enough to beat them. Yet there you are, calling the Cavs’ star “overrated,” and a “crybaby,” and stating that you wanted to play Cleveland in the opening round of the playoffs.  Well, perhaps you should have been careful of what you asked for.

And with this so-called feud between Stevenson and James blown way out of proportion, with the likes of Jay-Z and Soulja Boy drawn into the orbit, things have completely gotten out of hand.  It obviously has distracted DeShawn Stevenson to the point where his play has been ineffective, except for one good game in the lone Wizards win.  Oh, and by the way, Mr. Stevenson, you think you can keep LeBron in front of you a few times instead of watching him go by on his way to the basket? Just keep quiet and play ball. And Mr. Haywood, who has spent the better part of his time in the NBA underachieving until finally showing some promise this season, who are you to make any comments? I admit, I’m surprised that you are even here after how last season ended. Prior to this season, the thing you were best known for was fighting with Etan Thomas. Just keep quiet and play ball. And Mr. Arenas, while I admire your candor on your blog, perhaps it’s time to rein it in just a bit so that you can focus on your game and sharing the ball with your teammates. Let’s just say while it was nice to see you try to do your modern-day Willis Reed impersonation the other day, Game 4 was not one of your better outings. Just keep quiet and play ball.

Now that this series is all but over, all I can do as a Wizards fan is look back at another opportunity squandered to make some noise in this years NBA playoffs. Congratulations on another good season and another playoff appearance. Maybe next year, you as a team will realize that this time of year is about execution and performance, not empty boasting and cheap talk.

Sincerely,

Mind Pinball (a Wizards fan)