The fans of the Washington Wizards owe a big debt of thanks to Caron Butler. Butler’s game-winning shot with just under 4 seconds to play extends the Wizards’ season for at least one more game. Of course, the Wizards had to survive the final ticks of the clock watching LeBron James taking the final shot. Luckily for the Wizards, the shot did not fall.
Butler and James almost matched each other point for point in this one, a tight game from start to finish. The Wizards needed every point Butler could give them, with Gilbert Arenas out for the remainder of the series and Antawn Jamison having an off-night. Antonio Daniels and Roger Mason, Jr. also stepped up with key plays throughout the game. And while the Wizards and Cavs had yet another minor dustup early in the game, for the most part both teams played hard-nosed, playoff intensity basketball. Admittedly, it was refreshing to see after all the mess that has been going on-on and off the court. Even DeShawn Stevenson played a decent game; however he was also right in the thick of the action after James received a hard foul from Darius Songaila, getting into it with Anderson Varejao and getting T’d up. Thankfully he calmed down. As an aside, I don’t know that walking around Cleveland is a good thing, particularly in a Michael Vick jersey.
The series continues Friday night in DC; I hope that things are quiet between now and then. No one on either side needs to say anything. All the Wizards did tonight was prove they can win a game in Cleveland, and have given themselves an excellent chance to extend the series to a seventh game. Nothing more, nothing less.
Great W tonight by the Wizards in Cleveland.
With a completely healthy Arenas, Butler & Jamison I had Washington winning this 1st Round series vs Cleveland.
However, if the Wizards can scrap a win together at home in Game 6 … they will be atough team for the Cavaliers to knock out in Game 7 … as they are a very tough-minded group when they have time to prepare for ‘Life without Agent 0′ and they can focus on Defense, Rebounding & sharing the ball on Offense.
Thanks for your comment.
Those three keys are all-important to the Wizards, with or without Agent Zero. When they move the ball on offense, they can get good shots. LeBron will get his, but the Wizards have to contain everyone else on defense.
The Wizards’ team D, commitment to Rebounding, and overall ball movement is so much better without Gilbert it isn’t funny.
If he decides to re-sign with Washington, Ernie Grunfeld best get a firm commitment from Arenas that he is willing to defer his individual game to the needs of their entire team.
If Gilbert is willing to do this … the Wizards’ roster is as deep, long and athletic as any other team right now in the Eastern Conference.