He sat at his locker long after the game had ended, an ice pack soothing his left ankle.
Not that it helped much. Antonio Daniels’ ankle hurt, as did numerous other parts of his body, including his psyche given the impending end of the season.
Not that Daniels desired sympathy.
“It’s part of the game,” Daniels said.
Especially for Daniels, who takes the ball to the basket hard. Which means he also ends up on the wrong end of collisions. Which then means he ends up crumpled on the ground more than most as well.
But that hasn’t stopped him from being effective. And it’s that style that has given Washington a chance to win games in its series against Cleveland. The undermanned Wizards trail 3-0, but they’ve been competitive in part because of Daniels’ efforts.
While Antawn Jamison has handled the scoring — he’s averaging 32.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game — Daniels has run the show. In the three games, he’s averaging 13.3 points and 11.7 assists per game. He’s sat out only a combined six minutes in the games.
In Saturday’s 98-92 loss, Daniels had 20 points and 13 assists and consistently drove for baskets or assists.
“That’s how he’s been,” Wizards forward Jarvis Hayes said. “He’s a pass-first point guard, but he’s attacked the basket a lot harder and that’s what we needed. It kept us in the game.”
And, save for Jamison, no one has played as well as Daniels since the Wizards lost both Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler to injuries.
In Daniels’ 11 starts, he’s averaged 12.5 points and 10 assists and has shot 42 percent from the field. This from a guy whose minutes were slashed earlier this season.
“You’ll have ups and downs,” Daniels said. “I’ve been in this league a long time and dealt with a lot of different things and the one thing I’ve found is that if you stay professional, everything will be OK. … This isn’t the first time in my career I’ve had to step in, even in the playoffs.”
Daniels started eight playoff games for defending champion San Antonio in 2000-01 and he started three for Seattle in 2004-05.
If nothing else, Daniels will emerge from this postseason more valuable than before, proving what he can do in a pinch.
“He’s done a terrific job of … quarterbacking the team and being a leader,” Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. “I’m happy for him and for Antawn because they’ve had the shining moments.”
3 Things That Must Change
Haywood’s production
Brendan Haywood was the new Agent Zero on Saturday, with zero points, zero rebounds, zero shots and zero assists in 10 minutes. How is that possible? His only stat? One foul.
Long distance
DeShawn Stevenson can’t hit the outside shot, going nine for 38 in the first three games. He must drive more — under control — yet he’s too often settling for jumpers. His shot looks bad the minute it’s launched.
More screens
Jarvis Hayes buried his first jumper coming off a screen. The Wizards need to keep doing this for him, especially if it’s a Good Jarvis night. Plus trying to fight through screens makes LeBron James work harder.
Put backs
» The Wizards now will try to become the first team to ever win a series after trailing 3-0. “Cleveland is a great team and they know if they sweep, they’ll get an opportunity to get some rest,” Wizards forward Antawn Jamison said. “We’ll do everything possible to delay that. We should give the fans something to be proud about.” Teammate Jarvis Hayes said, “We think it can be done and that’s our goal.”
» Guard Antonio Daniels said coming close is not reason to celebrate. “When you’re on the floor and you see the passion in guys eyes, you want to win the game for them. … It’s great to walk off the floor and hear fans say, ‘You’re playing hard, we appreciate it.’ But you want to win.”
» Wizards have lost 11 of their last 13 games. Seven of their last nine losses have been by six points or less.
— John Keim
