Washington Wizards Blog – Page 34 – NBA Blog

Wizards sign guard John Lucas

The Washington Wizards have signed guard John Lucas, President Ernie Grunfeld announced today.

In six seasons with Houston, Chicago, Toronto and Utah, Lucas has appeared in 216 career regular season games (eight starts) while averaging 4.8 points and 1.4 assists in 12.2 minutes. Last season, Lucas appeared in 42 games with Utah and averaged 3.8 points and 1.0 assists in 14.1 minutes.

Lucas was undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 2005. He originally signed as a free agent with Houston on December 9, 2005.

Bradley Beal injury: broken wrist

Bradley Beal suffers injury: broken wrist

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal underwent an MRI exam today that revealed a non-displaced fracture of the scaphoid bone in his left (non-shooting) wrist that will require surgery.

The injury occurred during the first quarter of Washington’s preseason game against Charlotte in Greenville, SC, on October 10.

A timeline for Beal’s recovery will be announced following his surgery.

Kris Humphries finger injury: out 3-4 weeks

Wizards forward Kris Humphries underwent successful surgery yesterday to repair nerve damage in his right small finger. Humphries lacerated his hand on the rim, between his fourth and fifth phalanxes (small and ring finger), in the second quarter of Washington’s preseason game at Chicago on 10/6. The procedure was performed by Dr. Richard Barth.

Humphries is expected to miss three to four weeks before resuming basketball activity.

Four Wizards players suspended one game for leaving bench during altercation

Washington Wizards players DeJuan Blair, Nene, Daniel Orton and Xavier Silas were suspended one game for leaving the bench area during an altercation between Chicago Bulls’ center Joakim Noah and Washington Wizards’ forward Paul Pierce.

Additionally, Noah has been fined $15,000 for initiating an altercation with Pierce by pushing him in the chest and Pierce has been fined $15,000 for hitting Noah in the forehead with his left index finger, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 8:57 remaining in the first quarter of the Wizards’ 85-81 win over the Bulls on Monday, October 6, at United Center.

The suspensions will be served during the first regular season game for which each player is eligible and physically able to play.

Wizards waive Vander Blue and David Stockton

The Washington Wizards announced today that the team has waived guards Vander Blue and David Stockton.

The Wizards’ roster now stands at 18.

Bradley Beal says Wizards have best backcourt in NBA

Here’s the Washington Post blog reporting from Monday’s Wizards Media Day:

“I think we’re definitely the best back court in the league,” Beal declared at his team’s Media Day at Verizon Center Monday. “Just in terms of what we’re capable of doing, the confidence that we have in that. At the same time we got to prove it.”

Beal and Wall have a case. They are the Wizards’ cornerstone players and led the team to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004-05 last spring.

Wall, 24, enjoyed the breakout season many have been waiting for since he was drafted first over all in 2010, becoming an all-star for the first time and leading the NBA in total assists.

Bradley Beal speaks on new Wizard Paul Pierce

Monday was “Media Day” for most of the league’s teams. As you’d guess, that’s when players around the league tell media members how excited and optimistic they are for the upcoming season. Here’s CSN Washington reporting on new Wizards addition Paul Pierce:

So what have Wall and Beal learned from him in this short time?

Beal: “I’m going to take his cockiness, his arrogance, his trash-talking implement it all into my game and try to be like him. … For us to be able to have him on this team, it’s a great look for us. It just shows what we’re capable of doing. This is a young team on the rise and he wanted to be a part of it.

“This is John’s and (my) team. It starts with us. We have to lead by example and be vocal leaders as well. The ship doesn’t move unless we both move. For Paul to say that, it’s a little bit of pressure but it’s expectations we’ve already put on ourselves.”

Martell Webster still healing from surgery

Martell Webster has an uphill battle in front of him. Historically, back injuries have marred professional athletes’ careers and the swingman is rehabbing from his third back surgery in four years before his 28th birthday.

Webster’s experience is so noteworthy that he was invited to Capitol Hill earlier this month to participate in a panel discussion with the Arthritis Foundation to discuss back pain and proper care.

As for his work on the court, the Wizards remain unsure when Webster will be cleared to return. Webster had the surgery on June 27 and was given a diagnosis of three to five months recovery.

— Washington Post Blog

Wizards hire Howard Eisley as assistant coach

The Washington Wizards announced today that the team has named Howard Eisley as an assistant on the staff of Head Coach Randy Wittman. Eisley comes to Washington after spending the last four years on the sidelines with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The 12-year pro ended his career after the 2005-06 campaign. In 786 career NBA games with eight teams, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.5 assists and 1.7 rebounds. The Boston College standout was originally selected in the second round (30th overall) of the 1994 Draft by the Timberwolves.

Eisley spent time with Minnesota, San Antonio and Rockford of the CBA before joining the Jazz in 1995, where he contributed to two Western Conference championships in 1997 and 1998. Following his stint with the Jazz, he played with Dallas, New York, Phoenix before returning to Utah and eventually playing for the L.A. Clippers and Denver.

Eisley will join assistants Don Newman, Don Zierden, Roy Rogers, Pat Sullivan and David Adkins on the Wizards’ bench.

Roy Hibbert donates $1 million to Georgetown

Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting on some goodwill:

Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert donated $1 million to Georgetown University on Tuesday. Hibbert, who played for the Hoyas from 2004-08, made the donation to the John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center in honor of the school’s hall of fame basketball coach.

“I am deeply indebted to Georgetown University and the basketball program for all they have done for me,” Hibbert said in a press release. “I put in a lot of hard work to get where I am, but I was given a tremendous amount of guidance both on and off the floor from coach Thompson III and I wouldn’t be here without him.”