David Vs. Goliath: Things The Wizards Learned From The Loss at LA

The Washington Wizards (6-14) have now lost eight straight to the Los Angeles Lakers, but this one was close down the stretch as they got to within four, 110-106, with 1:20 left in the game. But Kobe Bryant, and a costly turnover by Washington, was too much down the stretch.

In the loss, Washington received stellar play from their three guards. Young recorded a season-high 30 points on 10-for-18 from the field. He also sank six 3-pointers. John Wall tallied 22 points and a season-high 14 assists and Gilbert Arenas chipped in with 23 points, but had seven turnovers.

This game was filled with multiple highlights and plays that even made me, although I was by my television, jump up out of my seat.  The lost was really a tough one to swallow for the Wizards, in the final three minutes of the third quarter, the Wizards rattled off a 16-1 run to get to within 87-84, a rally and effort that the team is saying can help them build on the season.

"Even though we lost, we learned how to play with each other," Nick Young told NBA.com. "If we don't do those turnovers here, take some of those away, we could've pulled this on out."

Though a game that could've been won, the Washington Wizards gained a moral victory against the LA Lakers.

The Wall/Arenas Backcourt May Workout After All

The game the Wizards played against the Lakers was the first game where both John Wall and Gilbert Arenas scored more than 20 points with them both being in the starting lineup.

Message to Flip Saunders.

Start Gilbert Arenas and John Wall.

I understand the meaning for starting Kirk Hinrich and the effort he puts out there on the floor on both offense and defense, but the Wizards didn't give Arenas that gigantic contract to sit on the bench.  Gilbert Arenas needs to get his butt up and put some work in on the hardwood; it could benefit both the Wizards and Arenas' career.

Trevor Booker Could Use Some More Minutes

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 07: Trevor Booker #35 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket while being defended by Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Staples Center on December 7, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Laker

Many remember Trevor Booker as the explosive PF out of Clemson that dominated the ACC last year, but he has taken that to another level.  The 6'8 PF Trevor Booker was everywhere in the fourth quarter as he finished with a season-high 14 points as he had to replace the injured starting PF Andray Blatche.

"I just try to get out and run with the guards,” Booker said.

But where he really came through, which is a surprise because Andray Blatche was lacking this, was on defense. In the first half the Lakers carved up the Wizards on the interior. And while the Lakers got sloppy, Booker stepped up defensively, he was physical and picked up five fouls.

“That’s what they brought me to the Wizards for, just to play defense,” said Booker, who was drafted by the Timberwolves but traded. “That’s my main thing, playing defense, but I provided a spark offensively tonight.”

Could Trevor Booker be the physical PF that the Wizards need?

Need To Keep Nick Young Exploding off The Bench

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 07: Nick Young #1 of the Washington Wizards shoots over Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Staples Center on December 7, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Wizards 115-108. NOTE

Nick Young was the headline story of the night as he dropped 30 points and hit a career-high six 3-pointers.  The former USC guard poured in 15 in the second quarter alone.

He has been playing consistent this whole season as the sixth man off the bench and if by the 40-game mark he still is, then Flip Saunders may want to start considering him for a starting job.

The Wizards should wait because the past years, Nick Young hasn't proven to do well as a starter, therefore they like to keep as the bench's primary scorer and....so far, so good.

With this outstanding performance, Young has now recorded back-to-back stellar performances off the bench after playing against Phoenix, when Young dropped 20 points. Young has now scored 20 or more points in seven contests this season, a stat that leads all reserves in the NBA. He is just three games shy of matching his 20-plus game total from all of last season.

John Wall May Lead The League in Blocks For PGs

Just a little taste of the athletic ability and timing that John Wall has when he attempts to block shots...he is fearless on defense, which is one of the reasons why he was chosen first overall.

Check it out...

Put JaVale McGee in The 2011 Dunk Contest

After seeing the many amazing dunks from JaVale McGee this year, I think it's time to start a campaign...if Dwight Howard can be in the dunk contest, why not JaVale?

There is a difference between being a seven footer that can dunk and being a seven footer that can fly, and JaVale McGee is the evidence.  I don't see anybody else his size getting up like that.