For team to thrive, Butler, Jamison must get help
Hopeful that their young players are ready to contribute, hopeful that their injury woes are in the past, and hopeful that other teams in the NBA Eastern Conference have not passed them by, the Wizards open tonight against the New Jersey Nets, the promise of a new season, tempered by the hard-luck reality of the past.
Misfortune has already befallen the Wizards in the form of injuries to starters Gilbert Arenas (knee) and Brendan Haywood (wrist), but on opening day, hope is eternal.
“We have a lot of doubters out there, now more than ever,” said Caron Butler. “Losing Gil and now losing Brendan, that’s another centerpiece. [But] we still feel like we got what it takes in the locker room.”
Butler and fellow All-Star forward Antawn Jamison are the constants. Last year they carried the Wizards to a 43-39 record. Improvement will be possible only if the duo receives more help.
“No, I’m not confident,” said Jamison when asked if he expects to get more rest this year. “That’s why you have to take care of your body in the offseason. Caron and myself are warriors and we like to go out and give it our all — no matter if we’re playing 40 minutes or 30 minutes.”
Haywood’s injury (he is out at least until March), will require Jamison’s primary backup, 6-11 Andray Blatche, to play some center. To spell Butler, second-year man Dominic McGuire must emerge. Versatile 7-footer Oleksiy Pecherov, healthy after a hobbling through an injury-plagued rookie season, is another frontcourt option.
Tonight will be their opportunity for a new beginning. First, they have to win over coach Eddie Jordan.
“Consistency — not just a flash here and a flash there,” said Jordan. “I haven’t seen a lot from anyone outside the starting five. I think Juan [Dixon] was solid and Darius [Songaila] was solid. At least I can trust them. They’ve been through it. They give great effort. They’re pros.”
UP NEXT » Nets at Wizards
» New Jersey is in transition after going 34-48. The Nets have been picked to finish last in the East in several publications.
» The Nets start green 7-footers Brook Lopez, a rookie from Stanford, and Yi Jianlian, a second-year man.
» The Nets strength is in the backcourt with PG Devin Harris and SG Vince Carter (21.3 points per game).
» “They’re not a team we can say, ‘Jeez, I’m glad it’s New Jersey, get our feet wet, get a win,’” said Jordan, a former Nets assistant.
