» NBA Basketball » Wizards Can't Stop the Running of the Bulls, Team Stomped 101-68
Wizards Can't Stop the Running of the Bulls, Team Stomped 101-68
Story by: Richard thomas
Posted April 15, 2008
Photos by: Sol tucker
Washington, DC--
Each year Spain has its highly acclaimed "Running of the Bulls," where many are injured, trampled and just plain humiliated in front of thousands of on-lookers... today Verizon Center experienced a running of their own, when the Bulls came to town and trampled, stomped and humiliated the Wizards in front of thousands, 101-68.
After the game, the Wizards players looked at themselves and see that they did litte but throw on their uniforms and step on the court and they, namely their last leader left in the starting line-up Antwan Jamison were not afraid to discuss the dismal performance.
"Today we took a giant step backwards but this team has always found a way to respond and really come up and play better than we did after a night like this," Jamison said. "It's just one of those nights that we didn't get it done."
Jamison clearly had an off night scoring just 8 points, he was the only Wizards starter not to finish the game in double figures.
The Wizards were led by DeShawn Stevenson's 13 points, on a 4 of 15 effort from the field. Jarvis Hayes who has picked up the slack a bit for the Wizards finished with 11 points on a 4 of 14 effort from the field.
Ben Gordon led the Bulls to an early lead out of the gate in the first quarter as they opened a 12-0 lead until the Wizards finally hit their first bucket at the 8:00 mark when Etan Thomas hit a five foot shot. The Bulls went into the locker room at the half with a 49-17 cushion that got even larger as the third period continued.
The win today by the Bulls leaves them one short of 50 wins with one game remaining against the Nets, they will have hit 50 wins since the last time Micheal Jordan graced the courts for the Bulls during 1997-98 season.
"There's still something about winning 50," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said after his club improved to a season-high 17 games over .500 at 49-32. "Particularly the guys that have been here since I've been the coach, I'd like to see them get that. I'd like to see them be able to put that in their pockets, because it's just something to say: They were on a 50-win team."
Washington can only hope to hold onto the 6th seed in the playoffs or they might just have to face the same Bulls team today that seemed ready for the playoffs to start today. Two games reamain for the Wizards, Tuesday night at home against Orlando and Wednesday on the road against the Pacers. If the Wizards and Nets end the regular season in a tie, New Jersey would recieve the tie-breaker and the 6th spot and the Wizards would get the chance to see the Bulls again for the second time in a week.
The Wizards Did Not Even Look Like they Showed Up to Verizon Center as Brendan Haywood Yawns Before Checking in During the Fourth Quarter