by Alfonso Colasuonno
Well, it had to happen eventually, right? The Washington Wizards were bound to win a road game. I guess the NBA truly is where amazing happens. And who did it come against? The Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off of setting the NBA record for most consecutive losses at 26 (which also tied the record set by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL for most consecutive losses in all of the 4 major men's sports in the US). The Wizards beat the Cavaliers today behind 31 points from Nick Young, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his early career, despite behind saddled as the backup to perennial miscreant Gilbert Arenas for ages. However, I personally find the Wizards beating the Cavaliers today to be the most depressing story in the NBA all year.
So, what's so depressing about the fact that the Wizards beat the hapless Cavaliers? Well, for one thing, I always love seeing record-breaking feats happen in sports. The Wizards were on the track to go 0-41 on the road, something that's never happened in the NBA, until they met the equally hapless Cavaliers. There will never be another player to average a triple double like Oscar Robertson. No matter how talented LeBron is, it's just not feasible in this age. The competition that LeBron faces is infinitely better than the competition that Oscar Robertson faced. So, what's left to root for in today's NBA? Nothing more than impressive marks of futility. Every new season I hope that the famed 9-73 record of the 72-73 Philadelphia 76ers will be surpassed (is that even the right word?) As long as teams with the talent level of the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Washington Wizards exist in the NBA, there's always hope that a team will punch out of the NBA season with 8 wins or less.
Perhaps if it wasn't today against the Cavaliers, the Wizards would have eventually won on the road. The Wizards do have remaining road games against the Pistons, the Raptors, and another game in Cleveland to end the season. Plus, they aren't terrible at home at a mark of 14-13, only one more loss and an equal number of wins as the sixth place New York Knicks (not as if the Knicks are a benchmark of quality, but just saying....). They do have some bright spots on the team. Nick Young has really stepped out of Gilbert Arenas' shadow and has become the team's marquee player. Andray Blatche continues on the trend from last year of becoming a solid contributor. John Wall has had a spectacular rookie season and is a bonafide star point guard of the future who possesses sheer athleticism unrivaled at the position. Rashard Lewis is a solid player and Kirk Hinrich brings toughness and solid defense off the bench. The team still needs a better center than JaVale McGee and a bonafide star to rise to the ranks of respectability; but this is not a team that is completely hapless like the Cavaliers, who have recently been starting players I've never heard of (Who are Alonzo Gee and Christian Eyenga?)
Still, with the Cavaliers recent win over the Clippers, my hopes of a record being set for most losses in a row, and conceivably, an 8 win season (though that would mean the Cavs would have to have lost 54 games in a row to end the season, but again see my point about Eyenga and Gee) were dashed. The Wizards were my last hope at a record for futility being set, and that's gone too. But we always have next year to look forward to. My bet is on the Raptors. When Andrea Bargnani is your star, you know you have problems. I don't know if the team would do well in Euroleague play, let alone the NBA. That they haven't been in the running for records of futility this year is a testament to coach Jay Triano. As to why I hope for records of futility being set, it's not really because I doubt something amazing like a record for wins or even a triple double won't be set, it's rather just for the fact that I delight in misery, and the Cavaliers and Wizards have provided ample amounts of that factor this season; unfortunately, just not enough for my excessive tastes.
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