With the asbestos concerns alleviated at Madison Square Garden, the Wizards’ game against the New York Knicks on Friday will go ahead as planned. (Pick & Roll blog bonus – am headed to New York to cover the game. Ooooooh.)
The Knicks put out this statement yesterday: “After receiving assurance from the city and environmental experts regarding the safety of the arena for our customers and employees, all events at Madison Square Garden, beginning with Friday night’s Knicks game, will go on as scheduled. We have been working with the appropriate experts to confirm the arena is safe since debris fell during overnight work Monday. We will announce the rescheduled date for the postponed Knicks v. Magic game, in conjunction with the NBA, in the near future. We would like to thank the city for their assistance in this matter, and appreciate the patience of our fans.”
It also appears that Gilbert Arenas will make his season debut in the game although there are indications he’ll likely come off the bench. He was working with the second unit at the end of practice on Thursday – the first unit was the same starting group from the first three games of the season – and Wizards head coach Flip Saunders is taking it slow with bringing Arenas back. Among other things, it was his first full practice in more than a week.
“Right now, we’re probably going to go with the starting lineup that we have just based on where we are and the unknowns, as far as where Gil is at,” said Saunders. “Because he’s coming off the injuries that he’s had, with the groin, the ankle, I think we need to be a little bit more cautious from him and try to limit his time as much as we can but still have him where he can be effective.”
Asked what Arenas brings to the young Wizards teams, Flip ran through the scouting report: “He’s an all-pro player that has the ability to score, has been in big situations, doesn’t get flustered no matter what the stage is, usually plays better the bigger the stage. I think because of those situations, he’s going to be able to help your younger guys and a guy that you can rely on. You can put him out on the floor, with Kirk [Hinrich] at times, its going to make your whole team more effective.”
The last part seemed to imply the use of a three-guard backcourt. The only member of that trio, John Wall, talked on Wednesday about carrying the offensive load the last two games.
“Right now, it’s something, we’re making shots here and there,” said Wall. “Sometimes you’re going to make some, sometimes it’s going to be a tough night. When I feel like it’s going to be a tough night, I have the ability to get to the basket, draw fouls and find my teammates for easy baskets. I told my team, I don’t like shooting more than 12 to 13 shots. That’s not me, I’m looking more to pass. But if it comes to the point in the type of game that I have to, and I’m making shots, and I’m hot that night, and coach keeps telling me to shoot and my teammates keep telling me, I’ll do it. But other than that, I like to get my teammates involved. If you see, I’m more excited when my teammates score than I am. It’s great to score, but it’s better for me to have my assists.”
He’s had 31 so far without Arenas on the floor. The number would seem likely to continue straight up if they can get on the court together.
