Playing ineffectively and getting inconsistent minutes was a vicious cycle for Wizards forward Dominic McGuire. Releasing pent-up energy when he got a rare chance to play, McGuire experienced a common malady for rookies in all walks of life — the harder he tried, the worse he performed.
But this week, on back-to-back nights against the Toronto Raptors, with Caron Butler (hip flexor) out of the lineup, McGuire was on the court out of necessity and broke through the performance-anxiety barrier. Hustling for 16 rebounds and three blocks in 47 combined minutes, McGuire finally realized the potential he flashed in July in the NBA Summer League.
“I’m a lot more confident now,” said McGuire. “I just wanted to step up because Caron wasn’t playing. I knew I was going to play, so I came in real focused, knowing I was going to be out there a while.”
Butler was excused from practice Thursday with flu-like symptoms. His status for tonight’s game against Utah (28-18) will be determined at today’s shoot-around. Even if Butler plays, the 6-foot-9 McGuire will likely get his chance to inject the Wizards’ lineup with energy.
“He gets offensive rebounds. He’s gonna run the floor. He’s gonna get tip-ins. He’s gonna defend pretty well,” said Wizards coach Eddie Jordan. “He’s an athlete with good size. Every good team has that sort of guy. He’s our best guy to do that. He can cover three or four positions.”
And if things go well Friday night, he might get a chance to guard Kobe Bryant when the Wizards (24-20) take on the Lakers (28-15) at noon on Super Bowl Sunday.
Jazz at Wizards
When » Tonight, 8
Where » Verizon Center
TV » Comcast SportsNet
Radio » 980 AM
