Here are some interview quotes from every Washington Wizards player except Gilbert Arenas, from the team’s media day today:
WIZARDS FORWARD ANTAWN JAMISON
On the Wizards:
“This team is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that we win games. I think now we need more of our young players to step up. I think if they can contribute, then we should be alright. We definitely need somebody to pick up those points that we’re missing from Gilbert, but we still have two NBA All-Stars that are going to go out there and get it done.”
On training camp:
“I think there is something different with this training camp. We actually need this in order to really get it going because we were left with a bad taste in our mouth after losing in the first round of the playoffs. We need a lot of guys to get the reps in, understand their role and get some playing time because once the season starts we need to be clicking on all cylinders. We can’t afford for things to take a week or two to get going. We have to be playing pretty good basketball when the season gets started.”
WIZARDS FORWARD CARON BUTLER
On training camp:
“We’ve been working out here for the last month, and we’ve got the same corps together with some new additions, so I’m anxious to get this thing going. I’m feeling really good physically. I just can’t wait for the season to start.”
On the off-season:
“Yoga…Yoga got me through. It helped me open up my hips and get looser. I’ve dropped a few pounds so there is less impact on my body. I went through the last two and a half months playing extremely hard with full contact and I didn’t have a single injury, so I’m feeling great physically.”
WIZARDS GUARD ANTONIO DANIELS
On his wrist:
“No, I didn’t [have surgery on my wrist]. I got another opinion, and they told me it wasn’t the best thing for me to do. I feel a lot better. I’ll play with it lightly braced like I did this summer and God willing I’ll be fine.”
On training camp:
“Training camp is very important for a number of different reasons. You have the young guys and the new guys, the free agents that are very important to this team and they need to be implemented into the offense, the offensive structure and the defensive foundation. They have to learn what it’s about and what’s going on. The guys that have been here understand what’s going on, but we need this training camp to redevelop that connection that we had [last season].”
WIZARDS CENTER BRENDAN HAYWOOD
On training camp:
“I look at training camp as a necessary evil. It’s one of those things that you know you have to go through. You want to go out there, play your best, start building for something and get past it. I think everybody will go out there, play their role and work hard.”
On Etan Thomas:
“I think everybody is happy to see him back, especially after what he went through last year. That will be one of the feel good stories this year for the Washington Wizards. I’m excited to have him back.”
WIZARDS GUARD DESHAWN STEVENSON
On expectations for this season:
“The first thing is to get everybody healthy…win games and get to the playoffs, get past the first round and do the things that we know we can do.”
On starting the season without Gilbert Arenas:
“We’d love to have him, but people will just have to step up. People are going to be put in bigger roles, so we’ve just got to go out there and do what we have to do to win games.”
WIZARDS FORWARD DARIUS SONGAILA
On training camp:
“It’s always good to start off healthy because you kind of get into the groove of things. During preseason and training camp, you start to form chemistry with the team. So if you miss that, then you kind of fall behind.”
WIZARDS FORWARD/CENTER ANDRAY BLATCHE
On his goals for this season:
“I’m looking forward to this year. I feel like this year is going to be a big year for me. I’ve been here for awhile and I’ve been working hard. I think this might be a breakout season for me. I’ve been working so hard.”
WIZARDS CENTER ETAN THOMAS
On missing last season:
“It was really tough to sit there and watch and not be able to do anything, but it was also really motivational to be able to watch tapes of the games during my rehab. It’s great to be back and to come down and work out with the guys.”
On returning to action:
“I feel great. I’m really excited to be back and for camp to start. I got checked out last week and everything looked good, so I’m ready to go. I’m looking to make a big difference [this season]. I’m going to go out there and play hard and play physical — that’s what I bring to the table.”
WIZARDS GUARD/FORWARD NICK YOUNG
On training camp:
“I’m looking forward to it. I just want to work hard and make it through two-a-days. I’m going to go out and give it my all.”
WIZARDS FORWARD/CENTER OLEKSIY PECHEROV
On what he needs to do to be successful:
“It’s about effort, it’s about energy, it’s about giving 100 percent and it’s about staying healthy. If we’re healthy this season, then it is going to be a good season.”
WIZARDS FORWARD DOMINIC MCGUIRE
On the off-season:
“I’ve been in the gym twice a day, and I had my first child, so that was big for me. I’ve just been working out and spending time with him [my son].”
On training camp:
“[I need to show] that I’m a lot better player than what I showed last year. Last year was a learning experience for me, and I’ve improved a lot since then.”
WIZARDS GUARD JUAN DIXON
On returning to the Wizards:
“It feels great to be back. I’m really excited to be back in Washington and to resume my career with the Wizards. I’m looking forward to the start of training camp. I’m ready to step-in and contribute wherever Coach (Eddie) Jordan and the team need me.”
On how the team has changed since he was last here:
“I think this team is more established. Ernie (Grunfeld) had just got here when I was here; Eddie Jordan was trying to get his system in. Now guys are more familiar with Coach, and Coach is more familiar with the guys. It’s a more open game too — guys are out there having fun and playing.”
WIZARDS GUARD DEE BROWN
On expectations for this season:
“Every time you see me out there I’m going to be trying my hardest. I’m going to compete and work hard every day. I’m going to stay positive. Whatever my team needs me to do to win, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to do whatever Coach (Eddie) Jordan needs me to do in order to be successful and for this team to win.”
On Eddie Jordan:
“He’s been phenomenal for me. He’s a great coach and he really loves the game.”
WIZARDS CENTER JAVALE MCGEE
On the off-season:
“I’ve been trying to get stronger, working on my conditioning and trying to learn the plays. It’s been great. I’ve just been working real hard.”
WIZARDS FORWARD DERMARR JOHNSON
On playing in his hometown of Washington DC:
“It feels good. All of my family and friends that saw me play when I was growing up now have the chance to see me play as a pro. I had been exploring the option [of playing for the Wizards] all summer. I spent the whole summer here coming to the gym and working out. I can’t wait. There’s nothing better for me than being here with the Wizards.”
WIZARDS FORWARD LINTON JOHNSON
On the upcoming season:
“It’s another exciting year. It feels good to be a part of this organization. Last year I started off in Spain, so it’s good to be back here at home. I’m excited because we have a good group of guys. I’m familiar with the system because it’s similar to what I played with the [New Jersey] Nets and with the [New Orleans] Hornets.”
WIZARDS FORWARD TAJ MCCULLOUGH
On what is expected of him:
“They’re looking for me to keep doing what I’ve been doing — working hard, rebounding and not going outside of my game.”
