His post-practice sessions include getting muscled in the low post by other big men. Not that they always have their way. If that were the case, Wizards second-year forward Andray Blatche would be in trouble. Instead, he’ll school them with a pump fake here or there, then slam the ball home, punctuating his ability. Other times, he’ll drain a long jumper or take a big man off the dribble.
Meanwhile, off to the side, others notice. Take Monday as an example. As the 6-foot-11 Blatche battled Brendan Haywood and then Etan Thomas, general manager Ernie Grunfeld and Antawn Jamison whispered sweet nothings to each other about Blatche.
“He’s a different type of guy,” Jamison said later. “He can play the [off-guard] and [small forward] positions and he’s strong enough to play [power forward]. We definitely need that. The more he plays the more we’llsee.”
But the game sessions proceed differently. One game, Blatche will earn minutes — like the season-high 21 he logged against Milwaukee last week. However, he’s played only a combined 10 minutes the past two games and is averaging 6.8 for the season, after a strong summer.
Blatche, a second-round pick out of high school in 2005, is averaging 1.6 points and 1.8 rebounds. His time could lessen once Thomas and Michael Ruffin return from injuries.
“We see growth spurts,” Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. “We see the work ethic, his activity and the aggressiveness, trying to do other things instead of just looking to score.
“He has to know that he has to concentrate on not turning the ball over, coming in with a lot of energy, running the floor and helping on defense, blocking shots. And we just can’t have mental lapses.”
Blatche, whose progress was slowed last year by a gunshot wound suffered before the season, understands his role.
“I’m willing to play whatever so I can stay on the floor,” Blatche said. “Nothing comes easy. I didn’t get playing time easy. I feel like I’m gaining trust.”
Wiz notes
» Center Etan Thomas will play against Chicago. Thomas has missed the past 13 games with a sprained left ankle. Coach Eddie Jordan said he’ll watch Thomas again in practice today before deciding whether or not to start him. Thomas averaged 7.1 points and 6.6 rebounds as a starter the first 20 games. Brendan Haywood has averaged 9.1 points and 8.8 rebounds in 12 games as the starter.
» Guard Gilbert Arenas was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the third time this season. In three games last week, Arenas averaged 33.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He also had a game-winning 30-foot buzzer beater to defeat Milwaukee.
» Wizards forward Antawn Jamison is on pace to shoot a career-high 425 three-pointers, topping his previous high mark of 373 set last season. However, he’s still not getting to the free throw line. Jamison has shot 124 free throws, putting him on pace for 308 this season, which would be his most attempts since 2002-03.
