Antawn Jamison is tired. There’s no other way for him to put it. He spent part of the summer preparing for international competition, then spent two weeks in Japan as part of the U.S. National Team. After nearly a month off, he returned to the NBA grind.
And he’s feeling the effects.
His knees are fine. His body is fine. But mentally, Jamison is worn out.
Perhaps that’s why he hasn’t cracked 20 points in six straight games and is averaging 16.8 points — two below his season average — in the last 10 games. He said in talking to his summertime teammates, they feel the same way.
“It feels like March or April already,” Jamison said. “I just feel fatigued. It was tough from day one, but we knew that coming in. Some days it is tougher. The last couple days have been kind of tough, but you have to grind it out.”
Which is why Jamison is already eyeing the All-Star Break next month.
After his stint this summer on the U.S. National Team, Jamison said he could use a break. He sounds like someone who would prefer one more than a second All-Star selection. Considering he’s averaging 18.7 points and 8.2 rebounds a game and the Wizards have a winning record (21-16), Jamison is a candidate.
“Who knows,” Jamison said. “If I do [get selected] I’ll be grateful, but I just want to go home and relax and get refreshed. I have to stay focused. … Once this break comes, I’m resting. I might not even get out of bed.”
Jamison said Wizards coaches have given him more rest in practices, but coach Eddie Jordan said he hasn’t done anything special for his forward. And he said he doesn’t notice any ill effects from having played for the national team.
“Everybody has fatigue,” Jordan said. “[But] Antawn tries harder on defense than most guys. He probably does more with less.”
Said teammate Caron Butler, “He’s doing all the little things that sometimes don’t show up in the stat sheet. You can pencil him in for 20 [points] and eight [rebounds]. Twan is a professional.”
So Jamison, who has appeared in all 37 games thus far, pushes forward even when he’s mentally fried.
“That’s when you have to tune in and be mentally tough,” he said, “knowing my teammates expect so much out of me is more mental than anything. I can’t let them down. Whether I’m playing good or not, I still have to be vocal and aggressive.”
Wiz notes
» Forward Darius Songaila spent time after practice running the Wizards’ plays with the coaches, facing no defenders. It represents a nextstep for Songaila, recovering from back surgery, but coach Eddie Jordan said he’s still not sure when Songaila will return. Original estimates put his return sometime after the All-Star Break.
» The Wizards 15-3 start at home is the franchise’s best since 1968-69 when they were known as the Baltimore Bullets and won 18 of their first 21 at home. The Wizards have won eight straight at home entering tonight’s game against the visiting Knicks.
» Forward/center Michael Ruffin said Monday he might be able to return within two weeks from his sprained right foot. However, he’s still wearing a protective boot and is limited to riding a stationery bike.
