A Game for the Ages

An epic struggle occurred at the Verizon Center last night and a victor emerged tempered by the flames of Hades and near defeat. The Wizards, facing almost certain extinction from the first round and circles of NBA respect, stood tall at the fiery gates of hell and took on their 12th labor against a mighty, three-headed beast. To slay the blood-thirsty Cerberus and prove once and for all that they were not a team of false promises or regular season hype, they had to wrestle Lebron into submission and capture the haughty Cavaliers on the battlefield. Centuries from now the Muses will ask, “how did the Wizards fight their way out of the third circle when their best player fell silent in the first quarter?”

The Wizard’s first task was to visit Eleusis and learn how to thwart King James with guile and cunning. How else could they traverse Game Three with a chance for glory and fame? Their fearless leader (Coach Jordan) navigated these waters brilliantly by instructing his motley crew to crowd the paint, double team when possible, and force King James into jumpers. They key to this strategy was denying King James access to the rim where he torched the Wizards for 32 points in Game Two. Instead the Wizards plotted on forcing King James to shoot jumpers and threes, effectively taking him out of his element and into uncharted waters.

One could argue this decision was akin to fighting the Scylla when the Wizards could have easily passed through the Wandering Rocks by letting Lebron continue his quest to the basket. But those who let Lebron drive to the paint suffer defeats like Game Two, so Coach Jordan had to take his Argonauts elsewhere. Facing the Scylla ultimately prevailed because while guys like Haywood picked up fouls and worsened their league reputations for dirty play, King James could not convert from the field (Cavs went from shooting 52 percent to 37 percent and Lebron could not get his jumper started). The monster still reared its ugly head (22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists), but the Wizards passed through to victory virtually unscathed. If only Jason’s six Argonauts were so lucky.

The Wizard’s second task was to go on the offensive and restore the temple of Apollo after King James and his vile myrmidons had pillaged and dispatched the unarmed Wizards in Game Two. Improved shooting from the field and three point lines proved to be the elixir and the Wizards delivered, shooting 42% from three point range and 52% from the field. Doubling your three point and field goal percentages from one game to the next was important, but a whole new level of teamwork was needed to row the Wizard’s boat out of the river Styx. Once again the Wizards delivered and over five different players scored in double figures (this is in stark contrast to Game Two where only three players were in low double figures). As predicted two days ago on this weblog, Antawn Jamison led this charge with a heroic performance and a game for the ages. He was beat down, battered, and bloodied, but the aging warrior slogged on and willed his team to victory. It was incredible to watch and I bow down to greatness.
So where do the Wizards go from here and how will they pass through the Peloponnesian caverns to face Boston in the Second Round? Coach Jordan would give you the following sage advice:

1. Continue to play solid defense and force Lebron to either pass the ball to open teammates or shoot the jumper. Lebron's perimeter game is his weakness and having the Cleveland Cavaliers beat you is much better than letting Lebron run wild. In fact, take away Lebron and you have a very average team which is beatable by the Washington Wizards.

2. Continue to pass the ball and only take open shots. Games one and two were punctuated by nervous play, adrenaline, and vile tempers. Sit back, relax, have patience, and take your shots when they're open. Do not force possessions or shots. Do not panic. You are better than this team if Lebron is contained. Take a deep breath and play your game.

3. Continue playing like the Detroit Pistons and do not be afraid of a seven foot white guy. Hitting Lebron in the mouth will intimidate him and elbowing Z will throw his game off. Continue the hard fouls, but do not commit flagrant fouls. Make the Cavs pay when they drive to the paint and rebound like a bat out of hell.

In closing, I'd like to leave you all with a little bit of excitement and awesomeness. This video basically describes how I feel right now, so enjoy: