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Gilbert Returns to Lose in Epic Fashion
By Jamie Mottram | April 3, 2008
So we saddle up to Bar Pilar on 14th Street, where I’ve met a friend for drinks before seeing Jens Lekman at the Black Cat. Surprisingly enough for a hipster haven serving fancy beer and even fancier food, there’s a flatscreen staring at us from the other side of the bar, and on that flatscreen is Wizards-Bucks. And playing in that game is Gilbert Arenas.
Gilbert, after a winter on the shelf and “he’s coming back” and “no, he’s not” and so on is there with his leg in a sleeve and his feet in some hot Gil Zeros, ready to ball. It’s the fourth quarter, the Wiz are up easy and we’re suddenly caring a lot less about Swedish indie rock.
Not surprisingly, he doesn’t look good. Focused and full speed ahead, sure, but he misses some jumpers, loses the handle a couple of times and blows a layup he’d normally make in his sleep. He lacks the “rhythm” he talks about so much lately, but that’s OK. Gil’s back and pouring in points, and that’s all that matters, until that easy lead dwindles, to the point where Milwaukee’s up one with Washington coming down for a last possession. Time for Gil to rise and fire, right?
Wrong. Gil gets fouled bringing it up and buries two free throws to put the Wiz up by 1 with 15 seconds left. And that’s when it gets sad.
The Bucks miss a shot and there’s a scrum for the board. Caron comes up with it, but it’s ruled a jump ball with six ticks left. Tough Juice and DeShawn are both hurt on the play, with Mr. 50 needing help off the court. With DeShawn literally laid out on the bench, Caron pops in a straw (seriously) and takes the court for the jump, which he tips to Antawn, who saves it and heaves it down court before diving into the second row and hurting himself. The ball, which should be secured by Antonio Daniels, is not. Milwaukee inbounding with 1.1 left.
Antawn messed up his shoulder on the play, so DeShawn makes room for him on the bench. With both of them writhing in agony, the Bucks inbound to Bogut who touch passes to Ramon Sessions who uncorks a “Dagger!” of his own with .1 on the clock and Gilbert in his face. The shot drops, my jaw hits the floor and the Wiz lose perhaps the most depressing regular season NBA game I’ve ever seen; at least at a hipster bar with no sound and an indie rock show to go to.
But, hey, good to have you back, Gil! Seriously, it is. My heart was all aflutter seeing you out there. Now find that rhythm in time for the playoffs, and pray for Antawn’s shoulder.
(Jens was phenomenal by the way. Highly recommended.)
Update: Chris writes about Gil over at The Sporting Blog, chock-full o’ video!
Update No. 2: Yes, KD it does feel like the Wiz were made to break my heart.
Topics: Agent Zero, Wizards |
8 Responses to “Gilbert Returns to Lose in Epic Fashion”
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April 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 am
hipster doofus
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 am
Were you there, Maj?
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:12 am
Of course.
We’re talking about Verizon and not Black Cat, right?
Because I hate Black Cat.
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:30 am
You guys must’ve been going apeshit.
And there’s nothing wrong with the Black Cat. It’s my favorite venue in DC, actually.
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:37 am
Nothing wrong with the Black Cat!
NOOOOOOO! NOT POSSIBLE!
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:59 am
+1
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
The +/- scoring system is not allowed here.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Jens Lekman was terrific in the The Sound of Music. The wizards loss, Do-Re-Fucking-Mi.