Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards: 1/12/08 - Open Game Thread

Over the past few seasons a lot has been made about Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler and of course Gilbert Arenas, who continues to be a presence even with his injury. Meanwhile, DeShawn Stevenson and Antonio Daniels are household names to anyone who follows the NBA. But this year the Wizards really seem to have an influx of young guys. Andray Blatche, Roger Mason Jr., Nick Young and, despite being not that young, Darius Songaila are getting some time. By the way I vaguely remember Songaila being a high flyer of sorts for a brief period of time. I don't think he's done the following in a while:

Pradamaster, of Bullets Forever, recently wrote a post about Brendan Haywood's play this season. Now I'm the same guy who argued for about two years that Gerald Green would be a star. And if pressed I'd probably still make that argument. Having said that the numbers back up Haywood's play and are not a case of blogger/fan bias, which is at the heart of the Green argument. However, I don't want KG having to do battle with Haywood. That's Kendrick Perkins' job and he is up to the task.  

I realize that it's never a good thing when grown men have to call out other grown, albeit young, men for joking too much. However, between the general cast of characters the Wizards have, Dan Steinberg's work, Arenas' blog and of course Bullets Forever, I wonder if there is a more entertaining team to follow in the NBA. And that has nothing to do with the Wizards play, which has been better than expected without Arenas.

Pradamaster's blog is called Bullets Forever, which sends a clear message. And if I did not have a roughly nine hour coaching commitment today I'd ask him myself about the mascot change. It has just always bothered me. The Washington Wizards? Sounds like a NBDL team. Then of course there are the alternate jerseys.

Celtics Notes

• It will be interesting to see if Rajon Rondo can bounce back after leaving last night's game with a sore back.
• It would be nice if the Celtics had a decent shooting night. Over the last two games they've shot 24% from three-point range (9-37) and struggled from the line against the Nets (61.9%). Along those lines I'd like to see Eddie House starting hitting, particularly if Rondo can't go.