Andray Blatche Continues Down The Development Path

RICHMOND -- In my story today, I wrote about how Antawn Jamison could be invaluable to the Wizards since the team lacks a proven and reliable backup at power forward. Ernie Grunfeld brought in veterans to support Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas when he added Mike Miller and Randy Foye. But the Wizards are hopeful that Andray Blatche can finally turn the corner and be more consistent...

The Wizards concluded their final practice of training camp and have placed their focus squarely on facing the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. The NBATV crew was here filming the entire practice, which was similar to previous ones, with the exception that Flip Saunders used Mike Miller and DeShawn Stevenson much more with starters Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Brendan...

Prior to last season, not much was expected from Washington Wizards forward Dominic McGuire. He was barely scheduled to be the ninth or tenth man off the bench, and his role was not clearly defined. The combination of injuries and consistent hard play, not only thrust McGuire into a much more prominent role, but he started 57 of the Wizards 82 games. During media day, McGuire...

Randy Foye remembers hearing Kevin Garnett's loud voice shouting at him almost every time he got in his defensive stance his rookie year in Minnesota. Garnett wasn't being critical. He was being helping. He'd let Foye know when he didn't have any help, when and where the pick was coming. His lips were moving nonstop, his bark impossible to ignore. "You hear it...

RICHMOND | The Washington Wizards were in their fourth day of training camp Friday, and Flip Saunders took the floor at Virginia Commonwealth, bracing for a rough practice. His players had competed at such a high level the first three rigorous days, so it was only natural, the coach figured, that the level would drop off. But his players surprised him and turned out another productive...

Sam Cassell spotted Wizards Vice President of Player Personnel Milt Newton tossing a football with Nick Young and Dominic McGuire after practice on Saturday. Cassell, who said he played intramural football at Florida State, called for the ball. "Hey, Milt," Cassell said, holding out his hands. Cassell caught the ball, then fired a perfect spiral the length of the court...

RICHMOND | As the Washington Wizards limped along through last season's 19-63 campaign, the team had no choice but to heap a heavy workload on the shoulders of forwards Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. In 81 games, Jamison - then 32 and in his 11th season - logged 3,096 minutes, the fourth-highest total in the NBA last season and the most for the veteran since his fifth season...

The sorriest and the lottery likelies enter the season with bleak prospects. The Clippers and the Thunder have a little something to be excited about. Though they were horrible last year, getting to the playoffs and possibly making noise is a realistic possibility. Enter the 4th best team in the Southeast Division. Washington Wizards PG Gilbert Arenas Randy...

RICHMOND | One had started 275 consecutive games before basically being rendered immobile by a pinched disk and had to watch helplessly as his team posted the second-worst record in the league. The other was building an impressive individual resume but had to endure three abysmal seasons playing for the worst teams in basketball. Now DeShawn Stevenson and Mike Miller find themselves...

Flip Saunders finally announced his starter for the preseason opener and it's (drum roll, please) Nick Young. Saunders selected Young over veterans DeShawn Stevenson and Mike Miller, among others. He will open the game with Gilbert Arenas, Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. Young emerged from the morning shootaround flashing a humongous grin and Andray Blatche...