It didn’t take very long for John Wall to show he was nervous in his first game actually wearing the full Washington Wizards uniform. Practice jerseys and summer league jerseys don’t carry the same feeling, and so there was something a bit heavier weighing Wall down when he let his first shot attempt fly.
Airball.
But as quick as the moment came, that’s how quick Wall made it disappear when he blew down the lane for a layup. Add in a steal, a fast break, a calmly taken jumper, and Wall was the same guy that the Wizards have quickly grown to appreciate in his short time with them – dominant and uber-promising, even if they left him in a tad too long as he tried to complete the double-double in the fourth quarter. No matter there. The Wizards did finish with one double-double, of course, Yi Jianlian, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Take that debut and run with it, and try not to jump to any conclusions that remotely have the appearance of the sentiments the Wizards left Dallas with last year after upsetting them in the first game of the regular season. We know how that went.
That said, thanks to Lester Hudson for the victory.
On point
Andray Blatche (22 points on 9 of 15 shooting) looked sharp, especially early. How much of that confidence had to do with the familiar opposition (Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler)? Who knows, but for a guy who only returned to full action four days ago, that’s a welcome preseason debut. By all accounts, he could’ve very well started the season well behind both in fitness and execution.
On the floor, not under a towel
Gilbert Arenas got the start in a small backcourt with Wall and Kirk Hinrich, and carved out 12 points and 3 rebounds with ease. Defense remains a liability, but his stroke from outside looks as strong as ever. It’s also hard to tell too much from TV, but there was little sign of him having any problem being the off guard. If his attitude is right, there’s no reason for him not to thrive in that spot.
Onward, for now
Preseason will be erratic, keep that in mind. Given the chatter last week about Adam Morrison, who would’ve thought that Wizards wouldn’t use him at all? Nick Young also got off to a rough preseason start, going 1 for 7 with 5 fouls. Still lots of games to be played and work to be done before the regular season arrives.
