Scanning the blogs and beats following the Cavaliers’ 116-86 win over the Wizards in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals …
Cavalier Attitude: "Once again, the Washington Witnesses prove to be all bark and no bite. Down 15 in the third quarter, Witness #33 (aka Brendan Haywood) decided to spear LeBron in mid-air (video) without even making an effort to go to for the ball. James looked like a wide receiver going over the middle and being hung out to dry by his quarterback as Witness #33 played the role of a safety with the sole intention of knocking LB to the ground. Unfortunately for Witness #33, he wasn’t invited to try out for the Redskins, and this is basketball. And contrary to Reggie Miller, who was calling the game for TNT with Marv Albert, Witness #33 got what he deserved: a Flagrant Two and an automatic ejection."
Michael Wilbon, The Washington Post: "Get this: LeBron, all by himself, outscored Washington’s three all-stars 30-28. None of the three scored as many points as Wally Szczerbiak. None scored as many as Daniel Gibson. The Wizards ought to be ashamed of themselves to get into the playoffs and come up this small. As great as LeBron is, the Cavaliers should never dominate the Wizards to such an extent in a playoff game. The Cavs aren’t the Celtics or Lakers; they’re not even as good as they were last year. Not close. Plus, the Wizards are supposed to be better than they were a year ago. Yet, last year’s team, short Arenas and Butler, who were hurt, gave a much greater effort in all four of those games than they did in Game 2."
Brian Windhorst, Akron Beacon-Journal:
"This was the most complete game the Cavs have played since the trade,
which was two months ago today by the way. It may have been the most
complete game they have played all season. While the Wizards talk very
confidently, I think they are actually playing very tentative while the
Cavs have executed their game plan with sharp focus. Gilbert Arenas is
limited by his knee, Caron Butler does not look 100 percent, DeShawn
Stevenson is not dealing with the extra pressure, and Brendan Haywood
has not been the same player since the confrontation with LeBron in
Game 1. Eddie Jordan said he did a "horrible job trying to keep our
guys in an organized fashion." Antawn Jamison said as a captain he has
done a bad job of "controlling this team."
Ivan Carter, The Washington Post: "Obviously, emotions are high because of what happened in Game 1," Antonio Daniels said. "LeBron took off and Brendan obviously didn’t want him to finish it. . . . No one in this locker room or in that locker room fouls anybody with the intention of hurting anybody. That’s not the way the NBA is, that’s not how it’s played. But, we all get knocked to the floor. That’s playoff basketball. When you drive, you should expect to be hit."
Terry Pluto, Plain Dealer:
"The NBA wisely sent Danny Crawford, one of its best refs, to work this
game. He clearly took charge of the game, calling some close fouls,
nailing Arenas with a technical, a flagrant foul on Anderson Varejao
and later ejecting the Wizards’ Brendan Haywood for decking James on a
drive to the basket. Washington can complain about special treatment
for James, but the Wizards put the microscope on themselves by boasting
about shutting down and trying to manhandle James. The league doesn’t
want any of its players injured intentionally, especially a star."
Tom Knott, The Washington Times: "It helped the Cavaliers that Gilbert Arenas has not adjusted to being a glorified spot-up shooter after undergoing two surgeries to his left knee. He wants to be the Arenas of old — his competitive instincts demand it — but he lacks the explosion and lift to be that person. He wants to take LeBron James off the dribble but can’t. So he tries a 3-pointer with James in his face. Air ball. Arenas missed six shots in the first half, and not a one was a high-percentage shot."
Gregg Kanner, Les Bullez: "What can I say? Charles Barkley, at this point in time, is right. The Wizards are the stupidest team in the history of mankind. Or, they
are just not that good. What a disgrace they were in Game 2. The entire team should be
embarrassed in their effort and play. If you are going to open your
mouths, at least show up! I can’t tell you how disappointed I am in my
team."
Bullets Forever (liveblog): "Gil gets a foul called on him while trying to set a pick with his back to Delonte West … stupid. He’s gonna injure his knee again doing that. The camera goes to the bench … Andray Blatche is chewing his fingers off. There’s 4:16 left in the 3rd and the Wizards on the bench have the ’bout to be a 3 seed upset by a 14 seed in the NCAA tournament" face.’"
Patrick McManamon, Akron Beacon-Journal: "Stevenson’s signature move is to wave his hand in front of his face, but doing it when his team is getting shellacked was as amateur as it comes. The same guy who called James overrated has shot 14-for-62 in playoff games against the Cavaliers — 22.6 percent on your radio dial. His team has lost eight in a row to the Cavs. And he’s going to wave his hand in front of his face to James?"
Video update, via Awful Announcing: Marv Albert does the Soulja Boy …


