Rookie is showing skill on defense as well as on dunks Even if he doesn’t want one, Jan Vesely is destined to get nickname.
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The Wizards rookie and top draft pick was called the “Dunking Ninja” when he played in Europe for Partizan Belgrade. With seven slams among his first nine NBA field goals, that one might have a chance on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, though it also may be reflection of his limited ability to score any other way.
What has defined Vesely more in his first eight games has been his energy, length and desire to affect the game in positive ways even if he isn’t a first-choice offensive weapon. His teammates have noticed.
| Up next |
| Celtics at Wizards |
| When » Sunday, 1 p.m. |
| Where » Verizon Center |
| TV » CSN |
“Rashard [Lewis] calls him ‘The Kangaroo’ because he’s all over the place,” Wizards coach Flip Saunders said. “He’s jumping all over. He brings enthusiasm and picks things up fast. That’s been a big thing.”
The word may be lost in translation for the 21-year-old Czech, who responded with “I don’t know what’s that” when told of the moniker.
“He’s not nobody that’s really going to score on the block with his back to the basket and make jump shots,” Wizards guard John Wall said. “But he’s going to do the little things: boxing out, getting rebounds, being active on the boards, and he’s just figuring out his role and showing what he can do.”
It’s not as readily apparent in the box score; he’s averaging 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds. But Vesely’s understanding of the NBA game has come along quickly after he got off to a slow start because of a hip injury during preseason.
“A lot of offenses,” Vesely said. “Because training camp was short, I have to figure out everything. I’m still working on it.”
Vesely missed the Wizards’ second preseason game and the first seven games of the regular season, but he has grown increasingly comfortable and reliable on the court. He has played crucial minutes down the stretch, with seven points and six rebounds in last week’s loss to Houston and six points, three rebounds, a block and a steal in Washington’s upset of Oklahoma City.
“He’s our best defender in pick and rolls,” Saunders said. “He gets his hands on a lot of balls. He has very high basketball intelligence, knows how to play, seems to make the right plays.”
Vesely is fluid and athletic for his 6-foot-11, 235-pound frame, especially in transition, but he still gets pushed around in the lane. He picked up three quick fouls and lasted barely three minutes in Friday’s loss to Denver.
“I mean it’s faster, and it’s much more stronger,” Vesely said when asked about the difference between the NBA and Europe. But he’s also said more than once that he hopes his defense and dunks help to inspire the same kind of atmosphere at Verizon Center that he had at Partizan, who he said have the most passionate fans in Europe.
“How to describe?” Vesely said. “I try to play hard every game and to do my best on the court.”
