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Wizards Impressive In Season Opener!

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 4:41 pm
by Jake
Wizards Dazzle in Opener
Jamison's 34 Help Short-Handed Team Beat Odds And the Grizzlies: Wizards 103, Grizzlies 91

By Michael Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 4, 2004; Page D01

MEMPHIS, Nov. 3 -- For a team that has to learn how to win if it hopes to end a seven-year playoff drought, the Washington Wizards are in no position to concede games, regardless of the situation. The Wizards had enough ready-made excuses for their season opener against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday that they could have easily said their season actually begins Thursday night in Charlotte.

They had only twice as many available players (eight) as suspended players (four). They were missing their top two scorers from last season (Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes), their newly minted, $25 million starting center (Brendan Haywood) and a key reserve (Anthony Peeler). Plus, their starting shooting guard (Laron Profit) spent last season playing in China and hadn't seen an NBA court in three seasons.


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Juan Dixon pushes aside the pain and Grizzlies' guard Earl Watson for two of his 28 points as the Wizards erased a 19-point deficit. (Matthew Craig -- AP)

Coach Eddie Jordan wasn't going to let his team's shortcomings be a crutch. He told his team before the game that they had enough pieces to compete against the Grizzlies, a team that won 50 games last season and was breaking in a new 18,119-seat arena, FedExForum.

"We had enough scoring. We have enough size and we had enough defensive-minded players," Jordan said.

But when the Wizards fell behind by 19 points early in the second quarter, doubt had to creep in. It was all gone in the closing seconds of the Wizards' surprising 103-91 win, as Jordan turned toward the scorer's table and yelled, "Pinch me, I'm dreaming."

The Wizards were depleted in numbers but not in heart, which was apparent in the fourth quarter, when newly acquired forward Antawn Jamison collapsed at center court and left the game, complaining of cramps in his left leg.

"I felt like somebody shot my leg off," Jamison said. He rode a stationary bike for several minutes, whispered to his coach that he was ready and returned to finish the game, hobbling toward a game-high 34 points, with eight rebounds in 45 minutes.

Juan Dixon, starting in place of Arenas, began to cramp in his right calf after he made his last jumper of the night, a 22-footer that gave the Wizards a 13-point fourth-quarter lead.

"A lot of people didn't give us a shot with Juan Dixon running the team," said Dixon, who came within two points of his career high with 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting. Dixon added five steals and four assists in 42 minutes. "We had each other's backs. Hopefully, we are going to build from this win."

Michael Ruffin, a 6-foot-8 center who started for Haywood, was an intimidator inside, grabbing 11 rebounds (seven offensive) and blocking a career-high seven shots despite a sore right shoulder. Jarvis Hayes had 20 points and nine rebounds in 40 minutes. Profit, making his first start since April 18, 2001, had 11 points and a team-high six assists.

"For us to accomplish what we did tonight really shows our determination and how we believe in ourselves," Jamison said. "It's a good sign for us in the future, but we've still got to realize that it's a long season. It's only the first game. During the course of the season, you have your ups and your downs and we started on a high."

Jamison showed why Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld was willing to part with Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner and the No. 5 pick to get him after his team fell behind 41-22 with 6 minutes 39 seconds to go in the second period. Jamison helped lead the Wizards on a 58-22 run over the next 19 minutes, matching the Grizzlies' total with 22 points himself. "We had Antawn get us going," said Dixon, who scored 15 points during the run, including nine in the third quarter, when the Grizzlies shot 5 of 23 from the field (21.7 percent). At the end of the third quarter, Dixon hit a jumper, then stole the ball from former Wizard Brian Cardinal and slowly dribbled to the right spot to shoot.

Dixon released, Jordan raised both fists and the ball splashed through the net with 3.9 seconds left. "When you score the ball, that juices you up," said Jordan, who will have Arenas, Hughes and Peeler back against the expansion Charlotte Bobcats. "One game will not make or break our season. We're waiting for the cavalry to arrive and you know who shows up for the fourth [game], the Hulk."

The Hulk is Jordan's nickname for Haywood.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... 4Nov3.html

Wow, only 8 players available. No Kwame, Hughes, Blake, Thomas, Haywood, Arenas, or Peeler and they still pulled it off after trailing by 19 points! Way to go Antawn and Juan!

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 5:08 pm
by SkinsBigtime
I lvoe Maryland basketball, so Juan Dixon is the man. He should start anyway, since he gets at least 15 steals a game. I wish Kwame would bloom into a star in this league, but with Antawn here, it will be more difficult.

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 5:12 pm
by JansenFan
With Antawn here, who cares about Kwame?

Just kidding. I am hoping for him to do well. Wish we weren't wasting so much money on Brenda Haywood. That guy is the classic under-achiever. I guess that makes him a true wizard. Exactly why they are letting Juan Dixon go...too much talent. I said when he entered the draft, I would root for whatever team drafted him. As luck would have it, it was the team I already rooted for. If he goes elsewhere, so do I.

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 6:12 pm
by SkinsBigtime
You're right about Wizard underachievers, I.E: Webber, Ben Wallace, Gheorghe Muresan, Stackhouse, DEF Haywood.(too name a few) I also agree with you about Dixon. As much as I was sad to see our NCAA champion go, I was excited for his career with Wsh. I was even more excited to see Blake also end up here, and even make the team as a second round draft choice. Dixon will be a player here at the NBA.

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 1:06 am
by TheMagicThree
And now, they are 2-0!

I do wish that they'd go back to being the Bullets.

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:48 am
by redskinz4ever
WOW !!!! they beat my expansion team the CHARLOTTE BOBCATS ... :up: :up: :hail: start sizing up the championship rings !!! :lol: :lol: :wink: :roll:

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:54 am
by doroshjt
I like the wizards, i think they have the building blocks for a solid team in the next couple of years, they are a very young team with a great coach and a GM who knows what he's doing. We've been situated into a week conference so I think we'll make the playoffs for years to come. Jamison is lighting it up and dixon is going to be strong off the bench. Don't expect them to be the bottom dwellers any more.

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 8:14 pm
by DEHog
Profit also had a nice game...we follow him here since he's from Dover. I coached his little brother a few years ago.