Two weeks ago against the Miami Heat, the Washington Wizards played their hearts out for three quarters, only to fall short in the fourth, 102-90. John Wall was ejected, but Jordan Crawford stepped up admirably and scored 39 points in a valiant, but losing effort. After the game, the Heat’s Dwyane Wade had some interesting comments about Crawford’s performance.

Remember in Return of the Jedi, when the Ewoks battled the Evil Empire? The Ewoks had the homecourt advantage on the planet of Endor, but their weapons of choice were of the primitive variety — rocks, logs, rope and so forth. The Empire had superior weaponry, but the unfamiliar terrain prevented them from steamrolling their lesser competition right away. The Ewoks sprinted to an early lead, then the Empire delivered a series of crushing blows to pull into the lead. But thanks to their overwhelming numbers and perhaps a bit of the Force, the Ewoks eventually won, and they joined the Rebel forces in the victory celebration.

My decision to use a 28-year-old movie to prove a point may be a bit farfetched, but the Ewok/Empire battle in Jedi is analogous to last night’s Heat/Wizards game.

JaVale McGee’s play, wildly inconsistent and frustrating — but, at times, thrilling — is the epitome of this year’s Wizards.