Agent Zero’s Other ‘Operatives’
Posted by Dustin Hockensmith on April 22, 2008
Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas, self-proclaimed Agent Zero, has found two more futile operatives in the Wizards organization. Joining him are Agent 9, Antawn Jamison, and Agent 12, Caron Butler. The numbers represent each player’s point totals in Washington’s 116-86 blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. Arenas was no star, either, going 2-for-10 from the floor and scoring seven points.
LeBron James needed no extra motivation, but got it from Arenas, who called the Cavs “beatable” and DeShawn Stevenson, who called James “overrated.” He outscored the Wizards’ star trio 30-28 on his own on Monday night and lifted the Cavs to a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Washington’s plan to rough up James at every opportunity failed to yield results for a second straight night. James dominated the game, despite more intimidation tactics from 7-foot softy Brendan Haywood. The Wizards center was ejected in the third quarter after committing a hard, intentional foul on James as he drove to the basket.
The series shifts to Washington on Thursday, where the Wizards hope to regroup. It won’t be an easy task because, as we’re seeing, an angry LeBron James is a killer in the clutch. He may not have the supporting cast to overcome the Boston Celtics in the second round, but the newest pieces to the puzzle – Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, Joe Smith and Ben Wallace – are looking to make a decent run at an upset.
Assuming the Celtics steamroll Atlanta as expected in the first round, an intriguing matchup of stars – Boston’s Big Three vs. James – would shape up in Round 2. If James is looking for opportunities to build legendary credentials, a Game 7 at the Garden would be his best one yet.
Other Opinions …
Busted Play is once again wishing T-Mac an April farewell.
Unsung Hero talks NBA playoffs, but I read the post looking for his take on Pizza Hut Tuscani pasta.
Scores Report points out that Luis Scola’s defense deserves some of the blame in Houston.
More News …
Garnett was named NBA defensive player of the year on Tuesday after helping the Celtics to the league’s best record and lowest opponents field goal percentage (.419). He edged Denver’s Marcus Camby and Houston’s Shane Battier for the award.
While the Knicks search for a new coach, new Vice President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh is reportedly putting the clamps on former coach Isiah Thomas’ role with the team. Walsh told the New York Daily News that Thomas is “reporting to me, and nobody’s reporting to him.” In other words, ‘come around, do what I say, but don’t you dare speak to anyone else’.
The Milwaukee Bucks hired Scott Skiles to fill their coaching vacancy on Monday, inking him to a guaranteed four-year contract. The hard-nosed coach is developing quite a reputation as a quick fix for slumping organizations after taking the underachieving Bulls to the playoffs in three straight seasons. Things went south this past season, and Skiles was fired — a likely outcome for his tenure in Milwaukee.
