Blatche, Mason, others work out in area gym The urgency on the faces of those taking part in the workout at the Capital Sports Complex in District Heights on Monday afternoon was clear.
For the NBA players — Andray Blatche, Roger Mason Jr., Gary Neal, Josh Selby and Hamady Ndiaye — the tentative labor deal reached over the weekend was a wake-up call after months without any certain reason to get into game shape.
For others — including journeymen and former George Washington stars Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Mike Hall — it could mean an opportunity in the league again because of the timing of the season’s start and the absence of players who went overseas.
“I don’t think there was anybody you would give an ‘F’ to,” said trainer Joe Connelly, who ran the proceedings. “There were some guys that were solid ‘C’s’, maybe a ‘B-plus’ or two, but I don’t think there was anybody at the ‘A’ level. They’re coming around a little bit. You could tell the guys who have been consistently working.”
Mason, a free agent and National Basketball Players Association vice president, showed no ill effects in his jump shot from participating in the seemingly endless labor talks.
“It’s been a great experience,” Mason said. “It’s obviously been stressful. There’s been a lot of time needed to get this done. But it feels satisfying that we have a deal done now, so now it’s free agency and figuring out where I’m going to play.”
There are still procedural issues such as re-forming the players union and closing out lawsuits before the new deal can be ratified and put into place, which is expected to happen in time for training camps to open Dec. 9. Still, free agency is on everyone’s mind.
With Yahoo! Sports reporting that players in China could have trouble getting out of contracts that require them to stay overseas until their season ends in March, teams such as Denver will have to scramble to meet their minimum roster requirements. It could create a larger market for Wizards restricted free agent Nick Young.
“I feel there’s a chance he won’t back,” Blatche said. “Either way it goes, we got Jordan Crawford that came in and did great work for us. At this point, I just want all the guys to come back home to D.C. and start working out together. I think it’s important for us to start getting our chemistry.”
Mason, a D.C. native, also hinted that a potential second stint with the Wizards might be possible. He’ll have a chance to test drive John Wall with the point guard expected to join the workouts, along with Brendan Haywood and Jared Jeffries, as they continue through the week.
“This is good because we got pros here, a lot of the Wizards guys, which is good with me being a former Wizard and potentially coming here this season,” Mason said. “I’ve had guys calling. Ray Allen called about Boston, and I’ve talked to Carmelo about going back to New York, and Andray wants me to come back here to Washington. Hopefully I’ll have some good choices.”
