This is not what they saw the other night. It is what they needed. DeShawn Stevenson swished one jumper after another, looking more comfortable with each shot. From the corner. From the top of the key. From the other corner.
Of course, it was just practice. But Stevenson is desperate to regain his shooting touch. So he stayed on the practice court after everyone else, hoping to find that rhythm.
In the first two playoff games, he’s made just 6-of 24 shots. Teammate Jarvis Hayes’ shooting is almost as bad at 8-of-28, including 2-of-13 Wednesday. He scored 18 points in the opener.
Stevenson, meanwhile, was 3-of- 12 in both games. That’s left Antawn Jamison to carry a heavy burden offensively.
“We need someone who can take pressure off him,” Stevenson said. “It’s me and Jarvis. Jarvis had a great first game; I’ve had two bad games. I’m not getting my rhythm like I used to. It’s a mental thing. The only way to do it is to get the shots up — and to be on your home floor.”
Hayes said, “It’s one bad game; you just have to move on.”
For both players, these playoffs could impact their summer when both become free agents. Stevenson signed to become a defensive help plus occasional scorer. He finished the regular season averaging 11.2 points per game and shooting 46 percent. But his offense has struggled minus the injured All Stars.
“He’s playing outside of his role,” Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. “He has to find some comfort level. He has to say, ‘This is a crucial time where I have to feel comfortable by being aggressive.’ I think he’ll do that.”
Stevenson said he’s not worried about his next contract and he doesn’t think his playoffs will make a difference.
“I don’t think it affects me,” he said. “For what they brought me in here, I did everything. … The numbers [from the regular season] don’t lie, but at the same time it’s bad luck being in a situation where your best teammates are out.”
As for Hayes, the Wizards need him to make LeBron James work hard on defense. They’ll likely use more screens to free him up Saturday. But they’ve been pleased with his defensive effort against James.
“He’s played tremendous defense,” Jordan said. “LeBron will beat him once in a while, but he’s making it tough for him.”
Put backs
» In the 10 games minus both Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, guard DeShawn Stevenson has made just 32 percent of his shots — 14 percentage points below his season mark.
» In the past 11 games, Jarvis Hayes has had six games where he’s made at least 50 percent of his field goals. And he’s had four games where he’s made 30 percent or less.
» The Wizards trail Cleveland 2-0 in the best of seven series. Game 3 is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Verizon Center. Game 4 is Monday night, but the time has yet to be determined. Tickets are still available for both games and can be purchased online (WashingtonWizards.com) or by calling 202-661-5000.
3 Things That Must Change
FOUL SHOOTING
The Wizards can’t spring an upset with poor foul shooting. Antawn Jamison is shooting 65 percent from the line in the playoffs (11-17); he shot 74 percent during the regular season.
FOUL TROUBLE
Darius Songaila is a major help when he’s on the floor. Unfortunately, he consistently gets himself in foul trouble, fouling out of Game 1 and picking up five in Game 2. Slow feet are a big culprit.
BETTER REBOUNDING
Starting centers Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas combined for 22 points, but only nine rebounds on Wednesday. For the Wizards to win, they must do a better job of limiting Clevelandon the boards.
— John Keim
