The Magic of the Wizards

What in the name of all that's holy has happened to the Indiana Pacers? Am I old if I remember them as an elite team, the guys who won the Eastern Conference Championship a couple years running and only got stopped by the Three-Peat? All I can say now as I watch them is, "What the hell went wrong?!"

As I remember the two teams, no way the Washington Wizards could even dream of defeating the Pacers. The very idea is laughable.

But it's a new world and a new league--and new Wizards and Pacers. Though they don't approach the utter futility of the Bobcats or Hawks, the Pacers are looking nothing like a Playoff team. The Wizards, on the other hand, are struggling but have a Playoff berth all but sewn up. Certainly the Reggie-less and Jermaine-less Indiana team should be no challenge.

And they really weren't. Coming into this game with the same 21-22 record Indiana has, Washington led wire to wire. There were a couple of scary moments there in the fourth quarter--the Wizards kicked back to relax while the Pacers went on a 12-4 run to cut the lead to four--but the outcome was never in any real doubt.

Final score: 84-79, Washington.

What causes me concern is this quote from Coach Jordan:

"We haven't played smart in the last two games, but basically who cares. It's a win."

Good God, what kind of crap is that from the head coach?! Yeah, hotshot, your guys got away with sloppy play this last two games--because their opponents suck. Try that shit against even a mediocre team, and they'll have their asses handed to them, as has happened too many times this season!

I can't believe Eddie Jordan even said that. So far I've blamed him for one thing: He's failed, for the most part, to rein in Gilbert's most offensive tendencies. Now, however, there's something much more important to criticize him for: An attitude that says it's okay to not make a great effort in the game if you're pretty sure you're going to win.

Welcome to Idiothood, Coach. Hope Abe Pollen runs you out of town on a rail and brings in a coach who cares.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this