His minutes have decreased. His importance has not. It’s just the Wizards haven’t always needed Antonio Daniels to provide what he did last season.
Then again, when they have needed him, he’s still able to come through. Like Saturday night. With point guard Gilbert Arenas having an off-night shooting, the Wizards wanted someone else to handle the ball, allowing Arenas to come off screens. Enter Daniels.
In the 115-110 overtime win over Boston, Daniels entered with 44 seconds left in the third, the Wizards having blown a 21-point lead and now trailing by three.
In his first three minutes, he had an assist and a basket. Then, with Washington trailing 99-93, Daniels hit a jumper and a driving lay-in to resuscitate the Wizards.
Daniels finished with 12 points and five assists in 26 minutes, the most he’s played since Dec. 26. Three games ago he played only nine minutes.
Having DeShawn Stevenson start at guard rather than Jared Jeffries as was the case last year is one reason he sits more. Daniels offered more of a contrast to Jeffries.
“It’s a little bit hard [to get used to],” Daniels said. “I know what [coach Eddie Jordan] wants out of me. I have to stay ready to be who I am and do what I do.”
Said Wizards forward Caron Butler, “He does a great job of being a professional. We follow his lead. He has something that everyone on this team wants and that’s a championship.”
When the Wizards need more ballhandling or more penetration, they’ll turn to Daniels.
“We trust A.D. and he knows what we’re doing,” Jordan said. “His main time is coming.”
That time is likely in the playoffs. Having been part of a championship in San Antonio, Daniels knows players must accept their roles.
“Eventually it balances out,” Daniels said. “The fact is, we’re 24-16 and first in the East. As long as you have that behind you, there are no complaints.”
Dynamic Daniels
» Guards DeShawn Stevenson and Antonio Daniels combined for 25 points and 10 assists in Saturday’s win over Boston. They shot a combined 9-for-13 from the field.
» In the last 13 games, Daniels has played 24 or more minutes only twice — and both came this weekend. Contrast that with the season’s first 14 games when he had 11 games with 26 or more minutes and five of 30 or more. Daniels is averaging 6.8 points per game compared to 9.6 last season.
