NBA FanHouse

Mike Miller Is Tougher Than He Looks

Brett Pollakoff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:24:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards, NBA Injuries, NBA Videos

Mike Miller may not look all that manly to most these days, given his unfortunate choice of hair styles. But after the way he competed in Wednesday night's close loss to the Miami Heat, there's certainly no questioning his toughness.

Miller came out of the game early in the third with an injured left shoulder, and headed to the locker room for some treatment. It was considered a mild sprain at the time, and since it was his non-shooting shoulder, he re-entered the game late in the period.

Miller played through until early in the fourth, when he hit the deck on a drive to the basket, and landed on the already injured shoulder. The man was in visible agony, but as you'll see in the following video, he managed to stay in the game long enough to make the highlights.

After picking himself up off the deck and hitting the free throw, Miller had to stay in the game, because it was Miami's possession. But even after the Heat's turn on offense, the Wizards didn't call a timeout to get Miller out of the game. So, with his one good arm, he catches a pass on the wing, dribbles to the top of the arc, and zips a one-handed pass into the hands of Andray Blatche for an easy two points.

The action begins at the 52-second mark:

That would have been a great play if Miller was a hundred percent; it's an amazing play given the circumstances. The Heat called a timeout immediately after the play, and Miller was done for the night.

In case you're wondering just how painful a shoulder injury like this might be, consider the tears and infamous wheelchair we saw when Dwyane Wade's popped out back in 2007. And after this one, Flip Saunders told the media that Miller would miss the next seven-to-ten days with the injury.

Mike Miller Is Tougher Than He Looks originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Wild East Shootout: Dwyane Wade Outguns Gilbert Arenas

Chris Tomasson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Filed under: Heat, Wizards

WASHINGTON -- Peel off the cobwebs. Get out the dust pan. One of the NBA's best shootouts is back.

There was a time in the middle of this decade when Dwyane Wade and Gilbert Arenas conjured up some Wild West battles even though both play in the East.

In 2005-06, in the four games the two met, Washington's Arenas averaged 32.3 points to 31.3 for Miami's Wade. Arenas had a 47-point game against the Heat and Wade had games of 41 and 40 points against the Wizards.

But then injuries hit both hard. Wade missed 62 games in 2006-07 and 2007-08 due to shoulder and knee problems. For Arenas, it was even worse as he missed 149 combined games in 2007-08 and 2008-09 because of knee trouble.

So when the two squared off Wednesday night at the Verizon Center, it was their first meeting since April 8, 2006.

It was a nostalgic reunion even if Wade, a shooting guard and Arenas, a point guard, didn't guard each other. Wade scored a game-high 40 points and Arenas had 32 as the Heat beat the Wizards 93-89.

"There was one time we were both looking at each other (at the free-throw line),'' Wade said. "We just smiled because of all the battles that we've had over the years. I'm happy to see him back as a fan of basketball. Knowing Gil, I'm happy to see him healthy. Hopefully, he'll just keep getting better.''

If Arenas was happy to face Wade again, he didn't let it be known. Arenas, apparently upset at comments having been made about him during his injury-riddled seasons, only speaks to the media these days to avoid being fined. He was docked $25,000 and the team hit $25,000 for offenses last month.

On Wednesday, Arenas kept reporters waiting for more than a half hour after the locker rooms opened. Then he mumbled a few answers.

"It's just fun to play again,'' Arenas said when asked about going against Wade.

But Wade had talked about the meeting at the free-throw line and the two did hug after the game. Did Arenas, who played in just 13 games in 2007-08 and in just two last season, say anything like, "It's good to be back?"

"No,'' Arenas said. "We spent the whole summer together.''

Indeed they did, working out together in Chicago with training guru Tim Grover. So maybe Arenas really does concur somewhat with Wade that their battles are fun.

One guy really enjoyed Wednesday's scoring fest. That would be Miami assistant coach Bob McAdoo, who won three scoring titles with Buffalo in the mid-1970s. Wade won last year's crown and Arenas has been close in scoring races, finishing fourth in 2005-06 and third in 2006-07.

"Yeah, it was fun (to watch),'' said McAdoo, who ribs Wade about leading him in scoring titles and cracked to Wade recently that he reached the 10,000-point mark in his fifth season while Wade didn't get there until this season, his seventh. "It was interesting to see how Gilbert is going to come back from his knee injuries. But he has his explosiveness, his quickness. ... I've been in shootouts with Pistol Pete (Maravich) and Downtown Freddie Brown and Rick Barry and David Thompson. I've been in battles like that, too. And, when you're going good, you know just about everything you throw up is going in.''

That was more the case Wednesday with Wade. He shot 14-of-26 from the field. Arenas was just 9-of-27, but he did shoot 12-of-15 from the foul line.

After the game, the trivia question was put to Washington forward Caron Butler to name the last time Wade and Arenas faced each other. Butler is a good guy to ask since he was Wade's Miami teammate in 2003-04 and has been Arenas' teammate with the Wizards since 2005.

"2006?'' Butler said.

The Butler did it. He nailed it.

"It's just fun to see both of them out there again,'' Butler said. "Both of them had similar (knee) injuries.''

And everybody knows how both are so important to their teams. The Heat, which won the NBA title in 2006, slumped to 15-67 in 2007-08 when Wade had a bum knee and was shut down for the season in early March.

After making the playoffs four straight seasons, the Wizards went just 19-63 last season. Several other players got hurt, but Arenas' injury was the killer.

"Gilbert is one of those guys that, we don't play alike but we're similar in the pressure we put on the defense,'' said Wade, who raised his scoring average to 29.2 while Arenas pushed his to 27.6.

In the end, Wade put more pressure on the Wizards than Arenas did on the Heat. Wade, who played all 24 minutes of the second half and logged 43 for the game to Arenas' 38, gave Miami the lead for good at 91-89 on a 20-footer with 24.6 seconds left. He hit a foul shot with 15.9 seconds left for a 92-89 advantage.

Arenas' final seconds were erratic. He lost the ball on a drive and later attempted to throw an alley-oop pass to Brandon Haywood that clanged off the rim.

"It's not rocket scientist,'' Arenas said of that play, a comment that later drew laughs from reporters for the misused word and perhaps was the only worthy soundbite provided by the once-gregarious interviewee.

So maybe Arenas really didn't end up having gangs of fun in his reunion with Wade. But the wait for the next Wild East shootout shouldn't be long, with the teams playing again next Tuesday and on Nov. 27.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com and on Twitter @christomasson

Wild East Shootout: Dwyane Wade Outguns Gilbert Arenas originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Here's What's Jumping Out of (NBA) Box

Matt Steinmetz — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Bobcats, Bulls, Kings, Raptors, Wizards, NBA Last Night, Thunder

Couldn't help but notice some interesting box score lines from a busy Friday night of NBA games. Among them ...

Gerald Wallace, Charlotte: 4-for-20 from the field, 0 assists in 53 minutes. You almost have to try not to get an assist in that many minutes. And for what it's worth, five of Wallace's misses were actually blocked. To be fair, we'll mention Wallace's 15 rebounds, but even they come with a caveat. New York, the Bobcats' opponent, shot 38 percent from the field and the game went into double OT. In other words, there were plenty of misses.

Gilbert Arenas, Washington: 23 points on 9-for-22 from the field, 7 turnovers and 4 assists. Arenas made it look easy the other night when he had 29 points and nine assists in a win over Dallas. So ... maybe there are going to be some ups and downs for him.

Nick Young, Washington: 0-for-8 from the field in 12-plus minutes. It's not the eight misses we're focusing on, it's that he got up eight shots in little more than a quarter's worth of work.

John Salmons, Chicago: 2-for-14 from the field. To say Salmons is off to a terrible start shooting the ball is an understatement. He's now 5-for-29 from the floor through two games.

James Harden, Oklahoma City: 8 assists in 16-plus minutes. That's not bad for a two guard, especially when you're talking about a rookie.

Jose Calderon, Toronto: 3 assists and 3 turnovers in 34 minutes. Hey, it's just one game, but we're talking about a player here who had a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season and a 5-to-1 turnover-to-assist ratio two seasons ago. Is the fact the ball isn't going to be in Calderon's hands as much -- with Hedo Turkoglu on board -- going to be a factor?

Kevin Martin, Sacramento: 9-for-29 from the field. No excuse for taking that many shots ... unless you're knocking down more than half of them.

Jason Thompson, Sacramento: 4-for-16 from the field in 39 minutes. That kind of shooting really mitigates those six offensive rebounds.

Here's What's Jumping Out of (NBA) Box originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Antawn Jamison to Miss 3-5 Weeks

Matt Watson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:05:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards, NBA Injuries

The Wizards confirmed today what many already suspected: Antawn Jamison will open the season on the sidelines. Jamison injured his right shoulder in a preason game on Oct. 14 while attempting to block a shot. After being re-evaluated, the original diagnosis of a subluxation was confirmed, which is the technical way of saying his shoulder briefly popped out of its socket. In addition to the time he's already missed, he's expected to miss another three-to-five weeks.

It's a fluke injury and one that shouldn't pose any long-term effects, but it's certainly disappointing news for the Wizards, who are hoping to get back into the playoffs after a dismal 19-win season last year. Ironically enough, Jamison was one of the few players who escaped major injury last season, appearing in 81 games.

Fortunately, though, the Wizards have reinforcements to help shoulder the load this time around: despite some minor nicks and illnesses in training camp, Gilbert Arenas (who missed 80 games last year), Brendan Haywood (76) and Caron Butler (15) should start the regular season healthy and ready to play.

Antawn Jamison to Miss 3-5 Weeks originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Caron Butler Q&A: Saunders Is 'An Offensive Genius'

Matt Watson — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards, Interviews, FanHouse Exclusive

Everyone knows preseason games don't count -- but considering the Wizards won a mere 19 games last season, it's hard not to be encouraged by their 4-3 record heading into Friday's finale.

In fact, Washington's record seems to confirm what many have suggested all summer: The Wizards should be one of the most improved teams in the league.

But before the Wizards turn the page, they re-visited their past, facing former coach Eddie Jordan, now with the 76ers, in a hard-fought win in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Washington forward Caron Butler spoke to FanHouse on Wednesday about facing his friend and former coach, as well as his relief in seeing the locked-out referees return, his expectations for the season, the senseless tragedy at his alma mater and more.

More coverage: FanHouse Preview: Wizards | Player to Watch: Butler

FanHouse: Facing your old coach [on Tuesday] -- I know that you've vacationed with him during the summertime so it wasn't the first time you've seen him - but what was it like going up against him? I know players don't get excited for most preseason games, but did you and your teammates give a little extra for this game?

Caron Butler: It was fun being out there, and it was kind of awkward being on the other side just seeing him on the other end of the bench. But, we understand the nature of the beast, this is how the business works. A lot of guys are still fond of Coach Jordan -- I love him to death and miss him, but that's how things go. Guys really got up for the challenge to go out there and perform at a high level, and I thought they did a great job.

FanHouse: It was a pretty close game with a somewhat controversial ending -- depending on what side you're on - which maybe could be blamed on the replacement refs. I won't make you comment on that -- I'm not trying to take money out of your pocket -- but it sounds like the regular refs have reached a deal, and they're going to be coming back by the regular season. What's your thoughts on that as a player, was that something that you were paying attention to the whole time?

Butler: It's good. Yeah, we were paying attention. Obviously having the refs back is great for the game, it really is. You look at our tradition and our fraternity and they're great for the game. When you see Steve Javie out there, that's when you know you've really arrived. When you got guys like Dick Bavetta calling the game, that's when you know, "Man, I'm here. I made it. They're calling the game, the same guys that were calling the game when Magic and Michael and all those guys were playing. Now they're calling the game while I'm out here." That's special.

FanHouse: A lot of guys were sick [Tuesday] night -- Gilbert Arenas and Mike Miller. It was just the [regular] flu, but there's been a lot of hype and hysteria in the media with swine flu. Is there anything that you guys are doing different this year to avoid that?

Butler: Some of the things that the NBA has advised -- no handshakes, trying to do more of the fist pounds and stuff like that to prevent the spread of flu and germs. ... But for the most part, continuing to wash hands a lot, sanitize, cover your mouth when you sneeze (laughing) -- the basic things. There's only so much you can actually do.

FanHouse: Earlier in the preseason, Gilbert wasn't talking to the media, which goes completely against his personality, at least what we've seen in the past. What was the team's reaction to that? Were you guys surprised by it?

Butler: I was surprised by it. [But] I mean, he just wants to play basketball. I just think he wants to play basketball, he's happy to be back out there and he doesn't want to be bothered right now. He just wants to play basketball. He's been removed from the game which he loves dearly and he hasn't been able to play it over the last couple of years, and now that he is back healthy, that's all he wants to do is play basketball. So I don't think he wants to talk about anything, he just wants to go out there and show improvement.

FanHouse: Have you actually noticed a definite difference about him this year?

Butler: Outside of not talking to the media? That was a huge difference. But as far as just preparation and being who he is on the court, he still looks the same. He's just a great player.

FanHouse: Another common theme that has been unfortunately associated with the Wizards is that it seems like a lot of you guys can't seem to stay healthy at the same time. And just recently, there's Antawn Jamison's injury. Is that really frustrating to think, "Man, if we could all get healthy at the same time ..."

Butler: I just feel like if we can all remain healthy, by the grace of God, we can have an unbelievable year and compete for a title. And that's the goal. And that has always been the goal, to get healthy and compete for something special and be riding down Constitution [Avenue] with the [trophy]. That's a realistic goal with all of our core guys healthy and with the development of the young guys.

FanHouse: The NBA record for improvement in one year is 36 games; that would be a 55-win season for you guys. Is that something that you think is attainable?

Butler: Anything is attainable with this group that we have. We're just trying to go out there and perform at a high level and obviously redeem ourselves from last year, bring a lot of consistency - just prove to people that Wizards basketball is hear to stay. We're back.

FanHouse: Changing topics to a much more serious note: the recent tragedy at UConn. I know that you had a tough upbringing and it seems like college was a place that you really had a chance to get away from that. It just seems like college, that's not the place that you're supposed to have this type of tragic event. What was your reaction to that, and have you reached out to anyone at UConn?

Butler: I've talked to a lot of people in the basketball organization and that's something that hits home and affected everybody: UConn fans, all people were saddened by the news of the death. It's just something that's completely ironic and crazy to happen; I saw it on the news and I was just sitting there in shock, just sad and just hurt for the mother and the family and grieving with them and just wished them the best and hoped the team can balance everything out and be able to go out there and still perform at a high level for him and do the right thing in his memory. And hopefully justice is done and hopefully they get the suspect, because that's sad for something like that to happen on campus for a kid that's a college kid doing the right thing, going to school and being a great student-athlete.

FanHouse: Getting back to something a little more light-hearted - Twitter has invaded professional sports and the NBA was definitely at the forefront of that. But unless I'm mistaken, I haven't found a Twitter account for you yet.

Butler: I'm not on Twitter.

FanHouse: Is that something you plan on trying out?

Butler: I'm cool. (Laughing)

FanHouse: People don't need to know that much about you?

Butler: No, I'm fine, man. (Laughing)

FanHouse: I was thinking of things that would have blown up on Twitter in the past, two years ago when you went to that kid's birthday party - maybe you do that all the time, maybe this was just the time it got in the news. But have you been to any birthday parties lately for your fans?

Butler: Not lately, not lately. (Laughing) I actually moved out of that neighborhood - I'm kind of in the boonies now by myself - but I was staying in a cul-de-sac close to a lot of people and a lot of residents knew that I was in the neighborhood and I used to get invites to things all the time. And I always went, I always did the right thing, I went and had a great time with people, so it was just funny coincidence that [it made news] - I was at a birthday party just having a good time, watching basketball, eating pizza. (Laughing) It was crazy.

FanHouse: Last thing, I was wondering what your thoughts were about Flip Saunders coming in. He obviously had a lot of success with the Pistons and it seems like the team has clicked a little bit with him. What are your impressions of him so far?

Butler: He's great. He's an offensive genius. He's a great coach to play for and I love him for numerous reasons but the one that really stuck out was him coming in the summer and reaching out to me. I've never had a coach do that. You know, you get the phone calls saying, "welcome to our team, great having you, look forward to coaching you," but he actually was a guy that came out with me on numerous occasions and told me expectations that he placed upon me and what he expected and I look forward to the challenge.

FanHouse: I was reading that he said that he learned a bit from his time in Detroit in going and making sure that he did all that and meeting all the players. Did you have any expectations about him coming in or was it a blank slate, you didn't know what to expect.

Butler: It was blank. I heard so many things from KG and Sam Cassell about he's a great guy to play for, but everybody has to experience everything on their own, and I was just waiting for the opportunity to meet him and feel him out, and it's been great. So far, so good, it's been unbelievable.

FanHouse: For a guy who can do what he can do with offense, it's got to be pretty exciting to pair him with the talent on your team.

Butler: We've got a very versatile team, and to have somebody with an offensive mindset like him who knows what to do with it, I think it's going to be great. I'm looking forward to the season.

Caron Butler Q&A: Saunders Is 'An Offensive Genius' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Player to Watch: Caron Butler

Tom Ziller — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards

FanHouse previews a player to watch from each NBA team in advance of the 2009-10 season.

Last fall, I sang the hymn of fandom. Caron Butler's Wizards responded with their worst season in a while, a true wire-to-wire disaster of incontinence, misfortuned struggle and self-imposed blurriness. Butler still had a Butler-like season: 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, 1.5 steals -- but there's no self-promoting allowed when there are only 19 wins in the ledger.

So the song remains the same: Butler is one of the most bizarrely solid players this league has, worthy of our attention and appreciation. Luckily, as the Wizards around him improve -- through addition of the previously injured (Gilbert Arenas, Brendan Haywood) and previously exiled in Minnesota (Mike Miller, Randy Foye) -- we'll get to see Butler's glow more frequently.

There is no prototype for the New Small Forward. Scottie Pippen would have created a mold if he weren't so good. Actually, LeBron James has become the new unrepeatable megastar small forward, subjugating the Tracy McGrady era to the footnotes. Someday, scholars will trace the lineage of the then-modern small forward position straight from Bird (killer rebounder and defender, unstoppable scoring shooting) to Pippen (world-changing defender, excellent distributor) to LeBron (whose stat line has no integers, only a series of exclamation marks). Paul Pierce falls under the Bird tree; McGrady is shrunken as a pathfinder for the LeBron prototype. Fellows like Jason Kapono will someday be considered shallow experimental types, unworthy of deep study.

Where does a guy like Butler fit in here? Is it fair to Butler (or to LeBron) to place Caron on the sub-LBJ path? Butler is basically almost everything LeBron is, but refined and less superlative. Butler can score mightily -- that's now two straight seasons over 20 ppg, all fairly efficient shooting -- and has the peripheral stats in excess of average. You can take LeBron's line, subtract a certain percentage across the board, and you'd basically have Butler, who does it all, just like King James. But an inextractable quality of LeBron, of course, is that there is so much volume to his game. It overfills the court -- any Cavaliers game is immediately different because of his presence. This isn't religious overstatement; it's a matter of properly defining the essence of LeBron in order to properly judge the benefit of Butler (though I have no doubt Wiz fans will be duly peeved at so much Bron talk in what is a Wiz post).

If you have LeBron, but you take away some of his volume, you get Butler. But by removing volume, the character of the player you're left with is completely changed. So while Butler may be something like "LeBron x 85 percent," just by decreasing the volume you're almost removing LeBron from the equation. It's a null result. So let's think of it another way: instead of Butler as 85 percent of LeBron, let's make LeBron a "Butler x 115 percent + !!!."

And so here, Butler becomes the archetype for the modern small forward, the mascot for the lineage through the late Aughts. Gerald Wallace's recipe is "Butler - 10 percent + suicide bomber style." John Salmons is "Butler - 10 percent - style + beard + indecisiveness." Hedo Turkoglu is "Butler - 20 percent + size + the benefit of New Eastern European Romanticism." Even Ron Artest becomes a Caron Butler mutation ("Butler + crazy pills").

As the Wizards vault up the standings this season, there's no need to prepare for an onslaught of Caron Butler profiles. No weepy John Thompson interviews, or fuzzy clips of Butler shooting hoops at some rundown schoolyard in Racine where he'd pretend it was the fourth quarter of Game 7. If/when this team succeeds, Butler ain't getting the shine. But we know that some day, when researchers happen upon his box scores, it will all come together and Caron Butler will get the bronze statue he deserves.

Player to Watch: Caron Butler originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

FanHouse Preview: Wizards

Brett Pollakoff — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards, NBA Preseason, NBA Previews

FanHouse previews all 30 NBA teams in advance of the 2009-10 season.

The Wizards are hoping that a healthy roster, a few new additions and a new head coach will help the team get back to relevance and into the fairly stacked upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. But reconstructing a group that won just 19 games a year ago might be a project that will take longer than a single campaign to complete.

The good news is the Wizards have plenty of positives going for them as they head into the season.

First and foremost is the return of a healthy (and more introspective) Gilbert Arenas, who is the team's heart and soul as much as he is its point guard. Arenas is a legitimate All-Star when healthy, and he's the only one on the team that seems to be able to distribute the ball to get others involved in the offense.

Arenas appears to be back with a vengeance, making basketball his top priority, while suffocating the personality that made him a fan favorite off the court -- as well as a legend and pioneer in the NBA blogosphere. Gilbert has stopped blogging, and until recently, stopped dealing with the media altogether, saying he wants his game to do the talking. As much as we'll miss the wackiness, it could be that the renewed focus on hoops will make the Wizards a much more dangerous team.

That is, if they can manage to stay healthy.

Washington was arguably the team most stricken by injury problems last season, and early in the preseason, they're not off to a great start. Antawn Jamison just went down with a shoulder injury, and his status for the season opener is up in the air. The Wizards made some improvements, but those will only take them so far if any one of the team's "big three" misses significant time due to injury.

Adding Flip Saunders as head coach should do wonders, as Eddie Jordan seemed to be content with coaching a team that played zero defense and took amazingly bad shots (like, say, contested three-pointers early in the shot clock) with startling frequency.

The Wizards are totally loaded at shooting guard, with recent additions Mike Miller and Randy Foye providing a new spark to compliment returning producers DeShawn Stevenson and Nick Young. And in case the team wants to go with a bigger lineup, as it did against the Cavaliers the other night, they can just move Caron Butler to the two, and play Jamison, Andray Blatche, and Fabricio Oberto (or a healthy Brendan Haywood) up front in the starting lineup.

All of this amounts to the Wizards having options this season. Flip Saunders will fine tune the offense, and make the team play just enough defense to keep their opponents honest. Now, if they can just stay away from that pesky injury bug, the ceiling for this team is likely the four seed in the East.

The basement? Well, it can't get any lower than where the team finished last season.

Last Season By the Numbers

Record: 19-63. Finished 5th in the Southeast Division, last in the Eastern Conference.

Offense: 105.4 points per 100 possessions, 26th in the NBA. 29th in shooting, 16th in turnover rate, 13th in offensive rebounding, 23rd in free throw rate.

Defense: 113.6 points allowed per 100 possessions, 29th in the NBA. 30th in shooting defense, 11th in opponent turnover rate, 25th in defensive rebounding, 13th in opponent free throw rate.

Top Performers: Antawn Jamison led the team in scoring with 22.2 points per game, and Caron Butler wasn't far behind with his average of 20.8. The pair also pretty much led the team in rebounding as well, with Jamison averaging 8.9 boards and Butler bringing down 6.2 per game. Sure, Brendan Haywood averaged 7.2 rebounds, but he appeared in only six games. Gilbert Arenas led the team in assists with an average of 10 per game -- but only played in two of them. Butler was the second best in that department, averaging a mere 4.3 assists per game.

All statistics via Basketball-Reference.com.

Player to Watch

FanHouse's Matt Moore and Tom Ziller preview one player to watch from each team. Here's a snippet of Ziller's post on Wiz forward Caron Butler.

Butler still had a Butler-like season: 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, 1.5 steals -- but there's no self-promoting allowed when there are only 19 wins in the ledger.

So the song remains the same: Butler is one of the most bizarrely solid players this league has, worthy of our attention and appreciation. Luckily, as the Wizards around him improve -- through addition of the previously injured (Gilbert Arenas, Brendan Haywood) and previously exiled in Minnesota (Mike Miller, Randy Foye) -- we'll get to see Butler's glow more frequently.

See Ziller's full post on Butler.

Offseason Tracker

IN: Mike Miller (trade), Randy Foye (trade), Fabricio Oberto (free agency).

OUT: Oleksiy Pecherov (trade), Darius Songaila (trade), Etan Thomas (trade).

FanHouse Preview: Wizards originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Gilbert Arenas Starts 'Sheed' Talking to the Media

Tom Ziller — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:38:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards

Nothing like a $25,000 fine to kick your mouth into gear! Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has been on a self-imposed media boycott this season, given a terse group interview on media day and otherwise refusing to speak to reporters. The league didn't like that, and fined Arenas and the Wizards $25,000 each for breaking media availability rules.

In the wake of that announcement, Gil changed his stance and talked to reporters after a preseason win over the Pistons in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Yes, Gil talked to reporters. Technically.

The Washington Post reports that Gil spoke for 95 seconds, offering mostly one-word answers along with a familiar gem. When asked whether he thought the game he'd just finished was a sign of progress for the Wizards, Gil responded with, "Both teams played hard." And then the Twilight Zone theme came on.

It's unclear whether Gil was purposely invoking the famous Rasheed Wallace post-game interview. I wouldn't put it past him, given that Gil's mind works so differently from most ballplayers.

However, I do think it's safe to say Arenas won this round with the media. Gil giving boring answers is only a story once. At some point, if Arenas can hold on to his pose, the reporters will just ignore him. Time is money, and the beat writers of the NBA can't waste precious minutes trying to crack a stubborn star.

Gilbert Arenas Starts 'Sheed' Talking to the Media originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tip-Off Timer: Brent Price's Lucky 13

Tim Povtak — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Pistons, Wizards

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Wednesday, there are 13 days remaining.

Brent Price never was as good as older brother Mark, a four-time All-Star, but for one brief stretch he was better than anyone else ever was in the NBA.

Brent Price set an NBA record in 1996 -- matched the next season by Terry Mills -- by making 13 consecutive 3-point shots over three games, a mark that none of the game's more heralded shooters ever has matched.

Much like his brother a few years before. Brent Price came into the league as a second-round draft pick, known purely as a shooter. And for one shining season, he was the best shooter in NBA. It was during that 1995-96 season -- his third -- that Brent broke the record previously shared by Jeff Hornacek and Scott Wedman.

Brent shot an astounding 47.2 percent from the 3-point line that season for Washington. He averaged a career high 10 points, and earned a lucrative free agent contract the next season in Houston.

But that was the end of his highlights. That one good season was followed by an injury-marred career. He played six more years in the NBA, but only once did he play more than 40 games.

Mills played 12 seasons in the NBA, riding his long-range shooting touch. Just like Price the season before, Mills used three games to match the NBA record of 13. He made his last six against Atlanta, all six the next game against Cleveland and his first against New Jersey before a miss.

His record breaking performance didn't come in his highest scoring season, but it came in his best shooting season. He hit 42.2 percent during that 1996-97 season, but he averaged only 10.8 points for Detroit.

Neither Brent Price nor Mills hold any other 3-point record in the NBA. Most are the record are held by the likes of Reggie Miller, Ray Allen or Kobe Bryant. For Price and Mills, it has been their claim to fame.

Tip-Off Timer: Brent Price's Lucky 13 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tip Off Timer: 16 in OT for Gilbert Arenas Caps Great Performance

Tim Povtak — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Wizards

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Sunday, there are 16 days remaining.

It's never easy to overshadow Kobe Bryant, especially on a night when he leaves with 45 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, a game that every star in the league would love to have.

Gilbert Arenas did it with a record-setting performance three seasons ago.

Arenas, who still is trying to reach the status that Bryant enjoys, set an NBA record for most points scored in an overtime period (16), doing it against one of the league's finest defensive players.

Although the Wizards were forced into overtime against the Lakers when Arenas missed the final shot in regulation, he made sure that a really special night had a really special ending.

He scored a franchise record 60 points, eclipsing former Washington greats like Earl Monroe (56 points), Phil Chenier (53 points), Bernard King (52 points) and Michael Jordan (51). A handful of NBA players have scored 60 or more. Only one has scored 16 in overtime.

He broke the record of 15 set by the unheralded Earl Boykins two seasons before.

It seemed only fair that the Wizards won it, 147-141, putting a thrilling spin on an early regular season game. It was just one of three times that season that Arenas scored at least 50 points.

He obviously had some special motivation on a night when he scored 29 points in the first three quarters, then got stronger as the game progressed. He had 15 in the fourth. Bryant, who had scored 81 points in one game the year before, was coming off a 53-point game just two days earlier.

Arenas, who grew up in the Los Angeles arena, had a crowd of family and friends at the game, and he didn't want to be just an afterthought to another great performance by Bryant.

He wanted to outshine him, and he did, leaving Bryant shaking his head and clamoring for help from the officials.

"It was bound to happen,'' Arenas said after the game. "I'm a scorer and I know I was going to have one of those days where I was clicking.''

Tip Off Timer: 16 in OT for Gilbert Arenas Caps Great Performance originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Rainn Wilson Shows Gilbert Arenas His 'Outside Game'

Tom Ziller — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Magic, Wizards, NBA Videos

Actor Rainn Wilson -- best known for his role as weirdo Dwight Schrute on The Office -- is heading up NBA on TNT promo duty this fall. This new spot with Wizards talisman Gilbert Arenas plays on the former Agent Zero's penchant for self-anointed nicknames. After the jump, we have Wilson's spot with Magic hoss Dwight Howard.

Rainn Wilson Shows Gilbert Arenas His 'Outside Game' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

New Look, Same Explosive Arenas

Tim Povtak — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:17:00 EST

Filed under: Mavericks, Wizards

WASHINGTON -- Gilbert Arenas may be eliminating the often outrageous, sometimes peculiar behavior that once added to his popularity, but the rest of his game is coming back just fine.

The explosiveness has returned.

The 28-29-point scoring average may be fading into history, along with the Agent Zero and the Hibachi personas, but a more valuable, more productive 20-point, 10-assist guy could be brewing inside him.

It's what the Washington Wizards need.

Arenas missed 149 games combined in the last two seasons because of multiple left knee problems, but during a brief third quarter stretch Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, he looked as potent as he ever did.

Yes, he was rusty -- as expected. He committed five turnovers, mostly from trying to pass too much, but he also dominated the third quarter when he hit all six of his shots from an assortment of angles, bringing alive an otherwise bored home crowd.

He exploded past Jason Kidd on one drive. He tangled up Drew Gooden's legs when he swept past on another. He hit mid-range jumpers with mid-season confidence. He was teasing the Mavericks, just like he teased the home crowd in the first period with his passivity.

This comeback will come on his terms.

"I think he put to rest the notion that he couldn't score now,'' said Wizards coach Flip Saunders. "After being away for 15 months, it doesn't happen overnight. Every time he goes out there, he's more confident. I think you saw that in the second half.''

Arenas had 12 points and five assists in 11 third-quarter minutes when he flipped the switch to his aggressiveness. He played nine minutes in the first quarter, but he looked bored by the game, like a role player too content to move the ball to his teammates.

He didn't take a shot in the first nine minutes. He didn't even look at the basket, although he had four assists, setting up Brendan Haywood for one easy score and Caron Butler for another.

The Mavs won, 123-115, but Arenas was the biggest topic.

"He looks good. He looks explosive again, getting wherever he wants on the floor,'' said Haywood, who left early with a slight ankle sprain. "He seems like a more willing passer now, a distributor as well as a scorer. I think at this point of his career, he really wants to put his stamp, his mark, on the game.''

In two exhibition games, Arenas has combined for 17 points and 19 assists in 45 minutes. As part of his return this season, he has repeatedly told Butler and Antawn Jamison and other teammates that he wants to spend more time setting up their scores instead of looking for his own.

Saunders, since being named head coach of the Wizards this summer, has stroked Arenas constantly, emphasizing the importance of keeping his teammates involved while maintaining his aggressiveness.

Arenas declined again Friday after the game to answer any questions or discuss his comeback. He has not spoken with the media since the day training camp opened last month, telling reporters he would let his play do the talking for him.

"He's been everything you could ask for,'' Saunders said. "And the irony is that he has to be careful not to go overboard (distributing the ball). He has the unique ability to be a multi-dimensional point guard. There are points who can really score, and those who can really distribute it. There aren't many who can do both like he can.''

Arenas, 27, averaged 27.8 points combined during his three All-Star seasons (2004-2007), which led to the five-year, $111 million contract he signed before last season. During that stretch, he scored 40 points or more 26 times. He scored 50 points or more three times during the 2006-07 season, the last before his knee first buckled.

He spent this summer working with acclaimed trainer Tim Grover in Chicago, where he worked harder than he ever has. It's also where he decided that it was time to change his reputation as a too-selfish gunner. Even in his best seasons, the Wizards never won more than 45 games.

"He's still the key around here,'' said teammate DeShawn Stevenson. "He's back. He can score so easily whenever he wants, but he wants to be more of a team player now. When we find the right balance, everything will be all right.''

New Look, Same Explosive Arenas originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Caron Butler: '(The Wizards) Can Compete for a Title'

David Steele — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:22:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards, FanHouse Exclusive

Caron Butler's last four seasons have mirrored those of his team, the Washington Wizards -- on the cusp of excellence, but never quite getting there and held back by an aggravating string of injuries.

The 6-foot-7 forward has made the All-Star team the last two years and averaged more than 20 points, six rebounds and four assists in those seasons, a feat matched only by LeBron James. And while colorful, explosive-scoring teammate Gilbert Arenas has been the face of the Wizards, Butler (nicknamed "Tough Juice'') has been the heart. But the Wizards got knocked out in the first round in each of his first three seasons by James' Cleveland Cavaliers every time. Last year, wracked by injuries, the Wizards changed coaches, bottomed out at 19-63 and changed coaches again.

Now, the 29-year-old Butler feels inspired enough to claim, as have Flip Saunders and many of his teammates, that the Wizards will make the leap to serious Finals contender. Part of this inspiration -- as he points out in this FanHouse Q&A after his team's 101-92 win over Memphis in its preseason opener in Richmond, Va. -- comes from the real face of the franchise dating back to its Baltimore days, Hall of Famer Wes Unseld.

FanHouse: Thanks to Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood missing virtually all of last season, it's been a long time since this entire unit has played together. How has it gone in training camp and in the first preseason game?

Butler: I thought it was great. The team continuity came together great over the course of the last week being around each other in Richmond. We did a great job of attacking and protecting the paint for the most part -- we had a little bit of a defensive letdown at the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second, but we picked up the energy after that.

FanHouse: You and so many of the other key players have been injured the last two years. Is it a relief to not have that this time around?

Butler: It's been a while, and obviously, it's a great feeling to see everybody healthy and to have all our soldiers back -- myself, Gilbert, Brendan, Antawn (Jamison), DeShawn (Stevenson), everybody. It was great to have us all together again and to have the young guys back and playing good basketball. It really meant a lot.

FanHouse: You're playing for Flip Saunders for the first time, instead of Eddie Jordan for nearly all of your Wizards career. How has that been?

Butler: It was different, obviously. We praise Coach Jordan for the years that we had. They were great years, a tremendous ride. But now it's a new voice in the locker room. It was refreshing. It was great to get out there to try something new. It was a different strategy, obviously, and so far it's been great. We're getting adjusted to it and it's fun. It's a different style, a free style of basketball, and it's fun to get into the open court, making things happen, out in transition. With all the athletes on this team, all the versatility, it's time to use that and we have been using it.

FanHouse: Do you think you fit into that offense well?

Butler: It's a real good fit. Coach, he goes to the hot hand, he's gonna milk it, he's gonna keep going to it. No knocks to the offense we had over the last couple of years, but that was an equal-opportunity offense, so if a guy came down and scored, it might be five or six more possessions before that guy got the ball again, because it's the Princeton offense. That's just how it worked. Everybody gets the opportunity to be aggressive. This offense is a little different and you saw examples of that tonight.

FanHouse: You've battled nagging injuries all over your body every year you've been in Washington, missing 58 games the last three seasons. How healthy are you as this season begins?

Butler: This is actually the first training camp that I've come in, and actually the first summer I just went into actually feeling great all the way around. Usually in the summer you've got to nurse injuries, take a month, month-and-a-half off to nurse injuries before you can really get back into working out. But that was not the case this summer. I took 2 1/2 weeks off and was right back at it. It felt great. Playing so many minutes, taking up the slack in so many areas, without Gilbert out there, me and Antawn picking up the scoring load, having to do so many things on both ends of the court -- it wore on us. But I felt good, going into a summer fully healthy and being able to work on so many things about your game.

FanHouse: With a new coach, new offense and players back to take the heat off of you -- does your role change?

Butler: No, I'm still gonna be aggressive, still gonna be a leader on this ballclub, gonna do the same things I've been doing. We've just got our guys back healthy. We just want to continue to improve, and show our ability to move up to the top of the Eastern Conference.

FanHouse: Do you really believe you are an elite team in the East?

"I feel like we've got all the weapons intact, all our guys back and I feel that we can compete for a title."
- Caron Butler Butler: Yeah, definitely. I feel like we've got all the weapons intact, all our guys back and I feel that we can compete for a title. I can honestly say it, and I know that I've said that before, because I had the pride in myself to say it. But this time, I don't think I'm stepping out there too far by saying it. The talent is in place, the young guys are ready to step up and do it on a consistent basis, not every other night, but every night. I think we can really make some noise in the Eastern Conference. No excuses, man. This is our motto (pointing to his cap): "It's Our Time.'' That's how we're doing it. We have a four- or five-year window and we want to capitalize on that opportunity.

FanHouse: This team has to play defense better than in past years to achieve that. Can it?

Butler: Everybody knows we can score. We don't have to be the best defensive team, but we know we have to be somewhere in the middle of the pack. We've got to protect the paint, and that comes from the leaders. If you see the leaders out there scrapping, giving extra effort, diving on the floor, everybody will do it. That's the tone we'll set -- the leaders Antawn, Gilbert, Brendan, myself -- and the others will follow. It will trickle down to the last guy on the bench.

FanHouse: Your defensive effort has never been in question in the past ...

Butler: And Coach and I talked about that. He put the challenge in front of me: "I want you to be all-defensive team, as well as a first-team All-Star.'' That's something I thought about, I accepted it and it's something that I'm honing in on.

FanHouse: Saunders specifically challenged you?

Butler: Yeah, right when he met me. He said, "I think you can do tremendous things on the defensive end of the floor, and I'm going to hold you to it. As hard as you work on the offensive end, I want you to work that hard on the defensive end. We have a system and I want you to trust it and it will work out.''

FanHouse: Do you trust it?

Butler: It's gonna work. We've got Brendan back there (and) we have JaVale McGee and (Fabricio) Oberto, big bodies in the back that can make it work.

FanHouse: Two summers ago you visited South Africa with an NBA contingent and this offseason you traveled to China with a group led by Bullets legend Wes Unseld, who played in the first exhibition game ever staged in that country back in 1979. What made you want to make trips like that?

Butler: I'm trying to get out there and see the world, get out there and expose myself to different things. [This year] one of the things I wanted to do was get out there and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Bullets' trip. But more than anything, I wanted to get under Wes Unseld's wing, talk to him about the championship years and the glory days of the Washington Bullets, and try to restore the glory years here in Washington. I'm big on leaving a legacy, outside of being a good basketball player, but being a great professional on and off the court, a guy that really transcended the game and did all the right things. My body of work, I want it to speak volumes. So I talked to him about his work ethic and some of the things he did to bring the team together and I'm looking forward to spending more time with him.

FanHouse: How well had you known Unseld before that?

Butler: I have a great relationship with his son (Wes Jr., a Wizards assistant coach), but I never really had an opportunity to sit down with Wes Sr. But I flew over with him, so we had 16 1/2 hours on the flight, just talking. We went to all the events together, we talked the whole time. I want to be a Wizards great. I've found a home here. I want to spend the rest of my career here, I want to retire here. The way that can happen is, you win games and establish something great here, and I feel that we can do that.

FanHouse: After being traded twice in your first three seasons, do you feel established here?

Butler: It's home. I feel like I've finally found a home. I believe in what management's trying to do here. I think management has a long-term goal and wants me to be a part of it, and I'm just glad I've finally found a place I can call home.

Caron Butler: '(The Wizards) Can Compete for a Title' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

No Iverson, Lots of Thabeet for Grizzlies

David Steele — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:15:00 EST

Filed under: Grizzlies, Wizards

RICHMOND, Va. -- Half of the announced crowd of 7,500 at Virginia Commonwealth's on-campus arena Tuesday night showed up to see Allen Iverson's debut with the Memphis Grizzlies. The other half was curious to see what Gilbert Arenas looked like after nearly two full seasons out with knee injuries.

So it was easy for Hasheem Thabeet to slip under the radar, easy even for someone 7-foot-3, 265 pounds and the second overall pick in last June's NBA Draft. As it turned out, in the preseason opener for the Grizzlies and the Washington Wizards, Thabeet stood out more than Iverson, who did not dress because of a strained left hamstring, and Arenas, who proved that while he is back, he is far from all the way back.

Wizards 101, Grizzlies 92: Box Score
Grizzlies Team Preview | Watch: Marc Gasol

The Wizards won, 101-92, and did it by coming back in the fourth quarter mostly while Thabeet was on the floor. Nevertheless, Thabeet made his presence known and felt in his first NBA game; in just over 15 minutes off the bench, he had four blocks, four rebounds (three offensive), six points and five fouls, few of them cheap. He was altering Wizards' shots within minutes of his entry with 3:55 left in the first quarter and officially notched his first block with 1:50 to go, on an Antawn Jamison runner in the lane.

It was about the loudest performance in an otherwise typically-sloppy first preseason game, and it came from someone who wasn't trying to put pressure on himself, and whom the Grizzlies have not tried to rush.

"Coach told me just to stay active,'' Thabeet said, referring to Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins. "They told me to focus on what I do, and everything else will come. I'm trying to establish myself and blend in with the team.''

Hollins said before the game that he had seen improvement in Thabeet -- still raw in most areas even after such a stellar career at Connecticut -- just since the start of training camp. The Grizzlies don't plan to rush him; Marc Gasol is the returning starter at center, and they also used 7-2 Iranian center Hamed Haddadi, who spent most of last season in the D-League, for 14 minutes in the opener. But, Hollins said, Thabeet has impressed in a short time.

"He's come a long way,'' Hollins said. "His footwork and confidence in handling the ball around the basket have been improved. The last three days of training camp, he's finally overcome the work load. It was tough for him physically and mentally, and the light finally came on for him and he was pretty good the last three days.''

The All-American from Connecticut and the Big East co-player of the year last season, hit two of the three shots he took, both jump-hooks in the lane that looked very comfortable. Thabeet looked even more comfortable patrolling the other lane; when the Wizards chased down the rebound of his initial block, 7-foot Brendan Haywood wildly overcompensated on a drive on Thabeet, although Caron Butler followed that with a tip-in. A minute and a half later, Thabeet dropped in a jump hook from the right baseline, and on the ensuing Washington possession, Randy Foye, acquired just before the draft from Minnesota, saw his very first shot as a Wizard, a one-hander in the lane, thrown back at him -- yet, again, Butler (15 points) hit the follow.

Thabeet also picked up three fouls before sitting two minutes into the second quarter, going out with four points and three blocks in his first six minutes of action.

Iverson watched from the end of the bench, in uniform but unable to play after straining the hamstring in practice Saturday; Hollins said Iverson likely would sit for a week and definitely would not play in Wednesday's game in Memphis against Oklahoma City. "If it was Game 7 of the Finals, I wouldn't be able to go,'' Iverson said, adding that he was "frustrated'' at missing the game in front of a virtual home crowd.

All of the drama of Grizzlies training camp has centered on Iverson's late-summer free-agent signing, and the prospect of him opening (on his fourth NBA team) some 90 minutes from his hometown of Hampton, and two hours in the other direction from where he starred at Georgetown, pulled in the crowd -- many of whom didn't find out until arrival that he wouldn't play. Midway through the first quarter, during a stoppage for free throws, a fan shouted, "Where's AI?''

Arenas played 24 minutes and had 10 assists, but scored five points and missed four of his five shots, many of them layups in which he beat his man and got to the rim but did not finish. On the other hand, he showed no deference to a left knee that underwent three operations in the previous 2 1/2 years when, with 8:40 left in the first quarter, he leaped onto the scorer's table and launched himself into the first row of seats in pursuit of a loose ball. He declined to speak to reporters afterward.

No Iverson, Lots of Thabeet for Grizzlies originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Gilbert Arenas Pledges to Be Serious

David Steele — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards

WASHINGTON -- Agent Zero and the Hibachi announced their retirements from the NBA Monday, making way for a newcomer named Gilbert Arenas.

At the Washington Wizards' media day at Verizon Center, Arenas, who has missed all but 15 games the last two seasons thanks to three operations on his left knee, claimed that he planned on being a serious player this year, not the one who was "goofing around'' in his previous eight seasons, when he assigned himself nicknames, blogged religiously, put on practice exhibitions whose videos went viral, showed off his "phenomenal swag,'' and generally turned himself into a colorful and popular character.

"When I was entertaining and playing, all you guys focused on were my words. Now I'd rather that you guys just focused on my basketball,'' Arenas said during a nearly half-hour interview session that, contrary to his usual mode, he began at precisely the scheduled time.

(In fact, he did not appear at media day at all a year ago, as he was coming off his latest surgery, and said Monday he spoke mainly to avoid a fine.)

"So I'd rather take the gimmicks out and just play basketball,'' he continued.

Arenas' new approach was unveiled less than two weeks after being quoted in a Washington Times story as saying the organization brought him back too early previously "to sell tickets'' and that "they should have held me back.'' He stood by his comments today, although he accused reporters of "pull[ing] a couple of comments out of a full story.''

The three-time All-Star maintained that tone throughout: far less joking, more jabs at how he believed he was portrayed in recent years, and even sharper jabs at Eddie Jordan, who preceded newly-hired head coach Flip Saunders.

Part of it, Arenas said, was his determination to return to his previous form after so many setbacks to his knee; part came from a need to set a more serious tone in what had been a very loose locker room in recent years, and a big part was what he said is a reliance on him by Saunders for leadership.

"I'm just choosing -- I don't want to entertain anymore, I just want to go out and play,'' he said, adding about his former moniker-laden persona, who would never hesitate to admit that he played video poker before games in the locker room, "That player is gone. I don't do that anymore.''

In discussing his satisfaction with Saunders, who both acknowledge has spoken to him regularly and at length throughout the offseason, Arenas weaved in digs at Jordan, fired 11 games into last season and now the head coach in Philadelphia.

"Besides my high school coach and Lute Olsen [at Arizona], actually, he was the only one I've ever had conversations with more than once,'' he said of Saunders, hired after the conclusion of the Wizards' 19-63 season, in which he played just two games. "It surprised me, especially when I read in the paper that he'd stay away from me, like I had the Ebola virus.''

Arenas, 27, said that he embraced the idea of being a leader, because after Jordan deemed him too young for the role five years ago when the coach first arrived, he turned down every subsequent request to be one.

When Saunders asked him, he said, "I was shocked, because I thought he was going to judge me by what everybody said. What I was hearing was that I was hard to coach, which surprised me because when I was playing I wasn't hard to coach, but the two years I didn't play, I was hard to coach. That was funny to me.''

Gilbert Arenas Pledges to Be Serious originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Debate in the Paint: Wizards Will Rise From the Injury Ashes

Tom Ziller — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards

Every Tuesday this offseason, two of our NBA experts will go at it with a Debate in the Paint. This week, the topic is which team will be the most improved.

There are two generally accepted ways to massively improve your team's chances during the summer offseason: draft new talent, or acquire new talent by trade or free agency. But the Wizards -- my choice for most improved team of 2009-10 -- have tapped a little-known third way: let all your injured stars return to health.

That was the biggest factor in the return of the Heat, 2008-09's most improved team: Dwyane Wade got healthy, and the team got back to contention. The Wiz stand at the start of a similar path, with Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood ready to roll. Of course, Wade is more vital than either. But together, it's like signing two major free agents at arguably the two most hard-to-fill positions.

When healthy, Arenas is one of the best point guards in the league. His scoring ability is both prolific and efficient, a rare (and powerful) combination. Sure, he hasn't been healthy in ages. But even if he comes back at less than full power, he's replacing (in large part) Mike James. The point guard position will either be greatly improved or vastly improved, unless Arenas can't play at all.

More overlooked is Brendan Haywood. Well, usually, at least. Haywood sat out all of 2008-09, which was particularly unfortunate because Haywood had such a stellar breakout in 2007-08. Haywood, finally freed from the shackles of an Etan Thomas platoon, became the defensive stalwart Washington has needed, and filled the gaps left by stars Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler on offense. He played excellent, efficient basketball.

In his stead, the Wiz were left with more Andray Blatche (less exciting than you'd think), more Darius Songaila, and plenty of rookie JaVale McGee. McGee has promise, and has D.C.'s faithful anxious for his development. But he is currently a pretty limited player who wasn't shown what sort of shots to avoid. Haywood knows, and that will be more important than ever with Arenas's return, and the arrival of Mike Miller and Randy Foye.

Miller is a new dimension for this team, a true deadeye shooter ... and not a self-made Bowen with swag, as DeShawn Stevenson has attempted to become. Miller has these amazing runs where everything -- 22, 24, 27 feet -- falls. He's a lightning quick trigger, he can summon a certain ebuillence I think will fit with the roster well, and he won't grouse for minutes if he's playing behind Butler. Foye will also fill in where he can, and adds the dimension of playmaking. While you wish either Miller or Foye were defensive beasts on the perimeter, the total-game augmentation they offer shouldn't be sneezed at.

The Clippers, who added a terrific young power forward in Blake Griffin and hope to have Baron Davis, Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby all healthy for the haul, stand to reasonably improve next season. So should the Raptors, who have been basically remade around Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon. And there are other candidates. But from my seats, the Wizards look like the team most poised to make a leap. You don't like to bet on hope, but at some point the bones must stop breaking ... right?

Debate in the Paint: Wizards Will Rise From the Injury Ashes originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tip-Off Timer: No. 45 Is Not Jordan's Fondest Memory

Tim Povtak — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bulls, Wizards

Tip Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Saturday, there are 45 days remaining.

Michael Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this week as No. 23, the ringleader through the Glory Days in Chicago. His number was retired once after he won three championships for the Bulls, then unretired so he could wear it a second time to win three more titles.

Hardly anyone wants to remember that he also wore Chicago's No. 45 during not so glory days of Jordan in Chicago, that brief period of his career that was so greatly anticipated, but so sadly disappointing.

Jordan wore No. 45 for just 26 games at the end of the 1994-95 season, returning to the team after his year-and-a-half in exile playing minor league baseball. Upon his return, he shook off the rust quickly, helped the Bulls to a strong regular season finish, but looked merely mortal when the playoffs began.

The Bulls lost to the Magic in the second round, 4-2, devastated when Nick Anderson stole the ball from Jordan in the closing seconds of the decisive Game 5 to beat the Bulls.

When the series ended, Jordan never wore No. 45 again. He returned as No. 23 for the 1995-96 season and won three more titles before he retired again. He staged a final comeback with the Washington Wizards (2001-03), where he again wore his familiar No. 23. At that stage of his career, he probably should have worn 00.

He actually discarded No. 45 for Game 2 of that sad series with the Magic, stunning everyone by coming onto the court in Orlando with his old No. 23. It made for great theater. The Bulls won that game, but the league fined Jordan $5,000 and forced him into returning to No. 45 for the remainder of the series.

It was in Orlando earlier in his career (Feb. 14, 1990) when he surprised everyone by appearing without his familiar No. 23. Someone had come into the visitors locker room before Jordan arrived that night and stolen the jersey, forcing him into a backup No. 12.

The jersey change didn't seem to bother him, though. He scored 49 points in an overtime loss to the Magic, an expansion team in their first season of NBA basketball.

Tip-Off Timer: No. 45 Is Not Jordan's Fondest Memory originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Jordan Goes From Classy to Clown

Terence Moore — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:30:00 EST

Filed under: Bobcats, Bulls, Wizards, NBA Awards

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- When it's your party, you can cry if you want to, and you also can embarrass yourself if you want to. Just ask Michael Jordan, who spent his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night doing his version of dancing naked on a coffee table with a lamp shade on his head.

What was that?

Whatever it was, it wasn't good. It rivaled anything you can name through the decades as the most brutal Hall of Fame acceptance speech ever. Soon after receiving a standing ovation of 73 seconds from a packed and adoring house at Springfield Symphony Hall, he went from sobbing to reflective to vicious.

I mean, where is Sandman (you know, that guy who yanks terrible acts off the stage at the Apollo Theatre) when you need him?

It was this brutal Friday night: Anybody who bothered Jordan mentally, physically or spiritually in hoops during his 46 years was assassinated with his tongue. The coach who cut him from his high school team in Wilmington, N.C. Buzz Peterson, who was named high school player of the year in North Carolina over Jordan. His archenemy with the Chicago Bulls, Jerry Krause. Several NBA coaches who worked for his teams and against his teams. Doubting media types. Opposing players Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, George Gervin, John Starks and Byron Russell.

Russell Reacts: 'I'll Play His A** Right Now!'

Oh, and Jordan even gave a gentle whack to the knees to Dean Smith. According to Jordan, he still is miffed that his former head coach at North Carolina told Sports Illustrated in 1981 to go with four Tar Heel starters on its cover instead five, which would have included the freshman Jordan.

If that wasn't enough, Jordan looked at his two sons and daughter, shrugged and then said, "You guys have a heavy burden. I wouldn't want to be you guys."

Nice touch, Michael. So was this: With youngsters watching back home during this prime time telecast, Jordan turned to David Thompson nearby and said, "I know I shocked the (bleep) out of you." He was referring to Thompson's likely reaction after he received Jordan's call to be his presenter for the event. Thompson is a fabled alumnus of North Carolina rival North Carolina State.

Tomasson: David Thompson Talks About Presenting MJ

In other words, it was a blessing that those who decide such things blew it this time. Jordan's meltdown aside, they needed one ceremony for the only person that folks really cared about among this year's class, and they needed another for those deserving but thoroughly misplaced inductees not named Michael Jeffrey Jordan.

I mean, what were those who run the Hall of Fame thinking?

They weren't. Well, unless they were omniscient enough to see Jordan racing in his Air Jordans toward that lamp shade.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=515348&pid=515347&uts=1252728079

http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Latest NBA Photos

Michael Jordan, alongside David Thompson, is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, Friday, September 11, 2009. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

MCT

Chicago Tribune

Latest NBA Images

MCT

SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Coach Larry Brown and Hall of Fame player George Gervin present David Robinson to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Larry Brown;George Gervin;David Robinson

Getty Images

SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Isiah Thomas presents John Stockton to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Isiah Thomas;John Stockton

Getty Images

SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: David Thompson leads to his seat after Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during a ceremony on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Thompson;Michael Jordan

Getty Images

SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Michael Jordan stands with other members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Jordan

Getty Images

SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Michael Jordan is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during a ceremony on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Jordan

Getty Images

SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: David Robinson is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2009 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Robinson

Getty Images

Michael Jordan arrives with Yvette Prieto for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Symphony Hall in Springfield Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, Friday, September 11, 2009. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

MCT

That said, you can't turn Jordan into a basketball immortal with others, no matter who they are or what their qualifications. It also doesn't matter that such a move of designating Jordan as a solo induction act would be unprecedented. He is peerless, and come to think of it, they sort of understood as much around here.

You could tell by the way they decided to have John Stockton, David Robinson, Jerry Sloan and Vivian Stringer arrive for the evening festivities one by one -- long before Jordan's considerable entourage. Those others had two motorcycle policemen leading their shiny Rolls Royces to the red carpet that stretched from the edge of Court Street to the aged steps of the hall. Then, as the largest crowd in the 50-year history of this event roared in the distance, Jordan arrived with four motorcycle policemen and a couple of more cops next to his antique car on bicycles.

They applauded the others. They roared for Jordan.

To say this was awful timing for those others to join the elite of the hoops elite with Jordan is to say the man of the moment fired the only blatant air ball of his life earlier in the day. That's when a considerably more humble Jordan stood at a podium inside of the Hall of Fame's center court, studied those across the way with only thoughts of impossible dunks, Craig Ehlo and an eternally wagging tongue on their minds and said with a straight face, "Contrary to what you guys believe, it's not just me going into the Hall of Fame. It's a group that I'm proud to be a part of, and believe me, I'm going to remember them as much as they remember me."

Doubtful. Still, there are many things to remember about those others, ranging from their accomplishments on the court to their speeches on Friday. While dribbling down the stretch of his talk, a highly emotional Robinson implored everybody to have God walk with them "they way He walked with me." Then came Stockton, who left his typically stoic ways to choke on his words when discussing his deceased mother.

Later, Stringer spoke about how we all go "through our trials and tribulations" while referring to the tragic death of her husband and her battle with cancer. Then Sloan gave a sometimes funny and often poignant review of his life that would have ended 32 years ago had he taken a head coaching job at Evansville, his alma mater. Months after he turned it down, the team plane crashed and killed everybody on board.

Jordan was last to take the stage.

Oh, boy.

At one point near the beginning of Jordan's speech of 21 minutes and 30 seconds, he asked those listening, "What is it about me that you don't know?" He proceeded to give us the answer in detail -- unfortunately.

Watch More of Jordan's Speech: Part 1 | Part 3

Terence Moore is a national columnist and commentator for FanHouse. He is a frequent panelist on "Rome Is Burning," an ESPN show hosted by Jim Rome, that is seen Monday through Friday at 4:30 PM ET. Moore spent more than three decades working for major newspapers, including 26 years as an award-winning sports columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He resides in Atlanta.

Jordan Goes From Classy to Clown originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Bouncin' Around: Wade Will Think Twice About Staying With Beasley

Tim Povtak — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Heat, Wizards

Bouncin' Around is NBA FanHouse's weekly insider notebook.

This is not good for forward Michael Beasley. And it's REALLY not good if you're the Miami Heat trying to convince Dwyane Wade that they are serious about building a championship team around him.

No, this is real bad.

Beasley, who checked himself into a rehab clinic last week because of depression and substance-abuse issues, suddenly looks like the elephant in the franchise room as Wade ponders where his future will be.

Everything the Heat have done the last two years -- creating salary cap space for next summer, hiring a coach he likes, stroking him at every turn -- has been done to increase the likelihood that he will happily re-sign with the Heat when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in July.

If you're Wade today, you're quietly beginning to wonder.

A few weeks ago, the only real debate in South Florida was whether Beasley should be playing power forward or small forward -- a good issue to have -- or whether they should trade him to Utah for Carlos Boozer.

Now the debate is what to do with him -- literally. His recent problems have made him untradeable. And the question is whether he'll be in any kind of shape, mentally or physically, and whether he'll even be available, when training camp opens at the end of next month.

Any way you present it, he doesn't help the franchise look attractive, to either Wade, or the other free agent (i.e., Chris Bosh) the Heat are hoping to add alongside Wade next summer.

Beasley, the richly talented but increasingly quirky forward, was a risky pick when the Heat made him the No. 2 selection of the 2008 Draft, but he flashed enough All-Star potential last season to cover up the warts and make the Heat feel good about his progress.

All that is out the window now. Is he still a foundation piece that will help convince Wade to stay? Hardly. He looks more like a liability they can't shake at least until he starts playing effectively again.

If Wade wants to chase another championship, his best choice now would not be alongside Beasley, no matter how talented he is.

Most Improved Team

If you believe people who have seen Gilbert Arenas play this summer, the Washington Wizards are shaping up as the most improved team in the league. Both coach Flip Saunders and teammate Caron Butler have raved about him, believing he once again can become a dominating player.

The Wizards won only 19 games last season, mostly because they were beset by injuries, most notably Arenas, whose surgically-repaired knees limited him to just 15 games in the last two seasons combined.

"He was looking like his old self,'' Butler said during a Q&A with WashingtonWizards.com. "He looked great. You can expect great things from Agent Zero.''

The return of center Brendan Haywood, who played only six games last season, along with the addition of Mike Miller and Randy Foye, will give the Wizards a very dangerous offensive team. Antawn Jamison and Butler will join Miller, Arenas and Haywood in the high-scoring lineup.

They might not stop the more physical teams in the league, but a lot of teams won't be able to keep up their scoring pace.

"I think the Wizards really are getting overlooked,'' said Stan Van Gundy, coach of the defending Eastern champion Magic. "They're going to be greatly improved. If you look at the lineup they can put out there, and with guys coming off the bench, they're loaded.''

Sadly Moving On

Zydrunas Ilgauskas always figured he would finish his NBA career where he started it -- in Cleveland.

He has meant a lot to the Cavaliers since he arrived in 1997, overcoming a serious foot injury that almost ended his career and robbed him of two seasons. He went through the tough times in Cleveland, and he hoped to be there to enjoy the good times when LeBron James eventually leads them to an NBA title.

It's not going to happen now.

When the Cavaliers acquired Shaquille O'Neal this summer, it meant Ilgauskas become more valuable for his contract than what he could contribute on the court. He has an expiring contract worth $11 million this season, making him a good candidate to be dealt before the trade deadline to a team looking to clear cap space for next summer. It might be a opportunity for the Cavs to land a few more pieces to help bring the championship to Cleveland.

It's the business side of basketball.

Bouncin' Around: Wade Will Think Twice About Staying With Beasley originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Brendan Haywood Keeps Digging, Cites Tim Hardaway

Tom Ziller — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Wizards

On Tuesday, some comments Brendan Haywood made about Stephon Marbury and perceived homosexual behavior in Marbury's lifestreaming escapades came to light. In short, Haywood said that because Marbury got a shirtless massage from a male friend and danced to a disco song on video, no NBA player would want to share a locker room with him. Because, you know, he might be gay. Kelly Dwyer and Kevin Arnovitz have both responded in exemplary fashion -- read those reactions if you care at all about the issue.

Haywood has since posted what he dubs an apology on Yardbarker. As an avowed fan of the newly unfiltered relationship between athletes and fans, I'm encouraged that Haywood knew enough to know he needed to apologize. But in that apology, Haywood invokes the name Tim Hardaway (as in, "I wasn't trying to come off like Tim Hardaway") and offers up ye old "if it doesn't affect me, I don't really care" response to the very existence of homosexuality.

In other words, Haywood notifies us that he will continue to be a part of the problem.

In his initial rant, Haywood said that it felt like watching "gay porn" to see Marbury get a massage from his bro. He said -- this is a quote -- "there's no way any other professional athletes would wanna get dressed around this guy, because you gotta think something is a little, he's swinging from both sides of the fence."

That kind of talk and the "I don't care one way or another" bit don't match up. You do care, Brendan. You're a professional athlete, and you're saying you don't want to get dressed next to a guy who might be bisexual or gay.

You're entitled to have whatever internal fears you want. No one can put you on trial for getting nervous around a gay man, just as no one can prosecute a white woman who clutches her purse tightly when passing you on the street. Both fears are ignorant and accessory to a perpetual, destructive existence of fear of The Other. But they are your own fears.

The problem is when you transform those fears into public opinions. And when you spout those wrong and ignorant opinions unprovoked in a broadcast conversation, and attach said opinions to the whole of the professional athlete fraternity, you forfeit your right to be indignant regarding negative reactions to your private, personal fears, since you have made those a topic of public discourse. You cannot make a homophobic comment and days later distance yourself from it by saying you have no problem with gay people. It's the logical equivalent of "Some of my best friends are black!"

And that's exactly how Haywood comes across in his apology: indignant. "I wasn't trying to come off like Tim Hardaway." Clearly, Brendan Haywood learned nothing from Tim Hardaway. That, uh, you know, gay people are people, too, and they are not going to sexually assault you in the locker room. Is it really that hard to understand?

(Don't answer that.)

Brendan Haywood Keeps Digging, Cites Tim Hardaway originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments