TLN’s Game Preview: Lakers @ Wizards

In politics, the term “lame duck” refers to an official, whose power has been neutralized due to either losing a re-election bid, choosing not to seek another term or facing a term limit.

Washington D.C. is currently filled with lame ducks: Outgoing President George W. Bush, a handful of Senators and Representatives, and their basketball franchise.

Once an exciting misfit bunch, led by their clown prince Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards (3-13) have lost their way.

Agent Zero’s knee is still jacked and his return is not coming any time soon, center Brendan Haywood could be lost for the season and their replacement’s JaVale McGee and Dee Brown are struggling to fill their shoes.

The Washington Wizards have become lame ducks in a city filled with them.

The Lakers (15-2) come in to the District playing the role of the Obama Transition Team: full of youth and can-do spirit, with the entire world watching their every move.

After a disappointing loss Indiana, the Lakers rebounded marginally well against Philadelphia, but have still not convinced this writer that all is fine and good.

Without nitpicking (it is pretty hard to nitpick at an .882 win percentage), it seems as if a sense of complacency has permeated the Los Angeles Lakers.

When facing the cellar-dwellers of the NBA, like the Wizards, the Lakers should not aim to simply win at half-speed, but attempt to win by 30 going full bore.

Tipoff: 4:00 PM PST

Television -

  • Los Angeles: KCAL (Joel Myers & Stu Lantz)
  • Washington D.C.: Comcast SportsNet HD (Steve Buckhantz & Phil Chenier)

Radio -

  • Los Angeles: AM570 KLAC (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
  • Washington D.C.: ESPN 980AM (Dave Johnson & Glenn Consor)

Injuries -

Lakers: None to report.

Wizards:

  • Out: Gilbert Arenas (knee), Brendan Haywood (wrist)

Storylines -

History Lesson: Tonight, the Lakers will technically play the Washington Wizards, but the Wizards will pay homage to their Chicagoan roots. Before moving to Baltimore and eventually D.C., the Wizards franchise started in the Windy City and played one season known as the Chicago Zephyrs in 1962-63.

Tonight, the Wizards will honor that Zephyrs team that went 22-55 and were led by Walt Bellamy and Terry Dischinger.

Varsity Challenge -
(Prize: The microfilm that contains alllllllll of the Government’s spooky secrets)

Name the member of the 1963 Chicago Zephyrs that is currently a coach in the NBA.

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