Final Thoughts on Wiz-Cavs (Postgame)

I watched the game on Comcast SportsNet instead of ESPN. I enjoyed how fair the broadcasting was from Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier. They gave props to Cleveland when the Cavs executed good plays and didn't play favorites even though they are the TV voices of the Wizards. I respect these guys and their profession.

Gilbert almost laid a goose egg (on national TV, no less). Not a good start for the 4th highest scorer in the NBA last season. What made it worse was that his father, Gilbert Sr., sat in the stands watching (next to GM Ernie Grunfeld). You know they talked a lot about this game. Gilbert loves putting on a show and he just didn't have it Wednesday night. Maybe he'll bounce back at home against the Celtics on Saturday. Larry Hughes, Gil's best friend when he was in D.C., did super. This was the 2004-05 Larry that the Wiz fans saw and what the Cavs fans wanted last season. As long as he's healthy, he'll be a very dangerous compliment to LeBron.

Etan played probably his best offensive game as a pro. Being named a starter got his juices flowing even more. I guess NAB players are very sensitive to being labeled "starter" or "bench guy" because if you know you've got game, you want to play and get minutes. Two of the "Big 3" did what you would expect from them. Both Caron and Antawn shot the ball very well. I'm glad to see Jarvis getting 25 minutes and AD getting 29 minutes. Even better is Jamison only getting 31 minutes (very nice usage of Antawn so he doesn't wear out near the end of the season).

The Wiz shot 15.4% from downtown. Ouch! On the positive side, the Wizards cut turnovers down to just 11 (Gil had 4 and Caron had 5 - so, it came from 2 sources). The game had 8 lead changes and 10 ties. Another classic game for the "rivalry" between the Wizards and the Cavaliers.