The Wizards have three practices in the books and have another on deck a little later this evening, and the buzz remains positive surrounding the team.
Flip Saunders said his team went through another good practice this morning and said he was pleased to see them follow up last night’s competitive scrimmage with the same type of focus and drive this morning.
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Like yesterday, the first practice of today was more instructional and non-contact. Guys still worked up quite a sweat however. Tonight’s session will feature more full-contact action followed by some more scrimmaging.
One thing that’s been evident early on has been the approach that Nick Young and Andray Blatche have taken to this camp.
“They’ve all been extremely serious,” Saunders said. “I don’t think you look out there and think there’s a difference. We’ve got all those guys mixed in pretty well…. I think those guys are coming with the right attitude. They can understand what we’re trying to accomplish.”
On Nick Young’s play: “Nick was phenominal last night, the way he played and shot the ball, and so I think those guys are coming with the right attitude.”
On Dominic McGuire: “Last night in our scrimmage, he rebounded well and he understands what his niche is: rebounding, being that other guy on the team and making the other guys better. I felt how he played last night, that’s the best I’ve seen him play. He’s a structure oriented player, when he knows what his role is and what he can do, he plays at a very high level.”
Gilbert Arenas hasn’t spoken yet this week, but according to Saunders and some of his teammates, he is rolling right along.
“I thought he looked good. If you look at how his team does [in scrimmages], I think thats the most improtant thing,” Saunders said. “One of the main comments that came out from our meeting afterwards with the coaches was they didn’t realize how well he can really see the floor, push the ball and create. He’s gone three practices in 24 hours and I dont see any ill effects. He exploded when he needed to explode and got where he wanted to go. He’s trying to understand his role and what we want him to do, and trying to be that leader.”
Jamison on Arenas: “He looks good. He’s focus, he’s got it. He said, ‘Yeah a couple years ago, splitting a double team between the legs, I couldn’t do that.’ He has it now. That’s what you know, that’s Gilbert, that’s when you know he’s got that bounce in his step.”
Arenas and Tim Grover (who is down here this week working with both the guard and the Wizards’ medical staff) just walked in a bit ago. A short time later, Caron Butler and Mike Miller entered the arena to get some early work in for this evening session, which doesn’t officially start until 6 p.m.
I’ll have more later…
— Mike Jones
mjones@washingtontimes.com
Twitter: @sptswrtrjones
