The Wizards will be without Mike Miller (right calf) tonight and quite possibly for another week, according to head coach Flip Saunders. But it’s not his absence that he was pressed on again prior to tonight’s game against Detroit.
Saunders appeared to take exception with his suspension of Andray Blatche being deemed another setback for the team as a whole: “Don’t a lump a team in for a few individuals, no matter who it is. As a team, you’re always going to go through situations. But I think in hindsight, I think the team is responding extremely well. Players want to be disciplined. Hopefully, what you have happen is they understand why. It’s like dealing with your kids. You have to do things, and I tried to explain when I talked to Andray. This isn’t against you. It’s against what you did and how you’re acting. So it’s nothing against you. I don’t hold grudges over those type of things, so hopefully what happens is they’ll come back energized, no matter who it is… I don’t think those good graces [from the club toward Blatche] have stopped. I think there are certain things that have to be done at certain points.”
For Flip, Blatche’s suspension “is not an example. There were things that were said that you have to do. If you don’t do them, there’s consequences for all your actions. We’re all in this thing, and when you’re mad enough that you have certain actions, you have to face the consequences, no matter what they are. This isn’t a setback. Through all adversity is an opportunity. You can either look at it as woe is me and hang your head, or what you can do is you can buckle down. Now I know one thing about this league. This league is not about anyone – coaches, players, other teams – feeling sorry for anybody. If you feel sorry for yourself, you’ll get eaten up in this league.”
So, anyway, about the game itself against the Pistons, who come into Verizon Center in the opposite shape of New Orleans two days ago, having lost 13 in a row.
I asked Flip about how his team avoids another poor second quarter: “We tried to do too many things. Looking at Detroit, they’re the same way. Teams that are struggling at times, that when things go bad, players try to do too much. It’s like being in quicksand: the harder you try, the faster you sink. I think what you have to do is you have to trust your teammates, trust your system and not try to do too much. Do the little things to create plays for other players.”
With Miller out, Nick Young will start at shooting guard. Ladies and gentlemen, your 16th different starting lineup in 35 games.
“This is an opportunity for Nick,” said Saunders. “Nick took the opportunity last game, played really well, and now this is another dvelopment game for Nick.”
Saunders was asked about Young’s last five games (20 points, 0 points, 14 points, 21 points, DNP-CD) and how it seems to be all offense or nothing.
“Right now, he’s not at the point that he can stay on the floor for all the other stuff he does,” said Saunders.
I’m pretty sure that wasn’t a compliment.
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