It probably won’t bring security to Baghdad, but last night brought some surge news that can generate bipartisan support inside the Beltway: Gilbert Arenas has pulled off a surprise come-from-behind victory over Vince Carter to be the second Eastern Conference starting guard in the NBA All-Star Game. Just two weeks ago, Carter led Arenas by 214,460 votes and his lead appeared so insurmountable that we spent some time yesterday afternoon writing a draft post…

Written by DCist contributor Matthew Yglesias Wizards fans in the Verizon Center for last Sunday’s overtime loss to the Nets could smell victory as the Nets were forced to try and in-bound the ball facing a three-point deficit with only 2.7 seconds remaining on the regulation clock. Odor turned to palpable taste as guard Vince Carter launched a long shot on a short-arced trajectory that couldn’t possibly fall in. And, indeed, the shot slammed into…

Pop quiz, hotshot. Your team is up three in the waning seconds and your opponent is inbounding the ball. Do you just play defense and hope for a stop? Or do you foul before the other team can shoot a three, putting them on the line so they can’t tie the game in one possession? Last night at the MCI Center, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan chose the former and his team paid for it. The…

The new look New Jersey Nets traveled to the nation’s capitol last night and came away with their collective tail tucked between their legs as the home team dropped a team record 14 three pointers and rode the hot hand of Larry Hughes to a 112-88. The win, the Wiz’s third over the Nets this year, moves their record to 17-13, good enough for second in the Southeast Division. Despite Hughes gaudy numbers, 33 points…