Category: Washington Wizards Blog

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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:

Bradley Beal speaks on new Wizard 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 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

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.”

DeJuan Blair ready to bring energy and toughness to Wizards

Here’s CSN Washington reporting on the Wizards:

DeJuan Blair ready to bring energy and toughness to Wizards

How Randy Wittman intends on using his deep core of interior options remains uncertain. Granted, the start of training camp is still weeks away, though don’t expect many specifics out of the Washington Wizards head coach regardless.

As of Thursday, newly signed center DeJuan Blair had yet to get into details with Wittman about his role. No matter. Blair knows exactly how he will help.

“I plan on just bringing energy and toughness to the team,” Blair said during a teleconference with reporters on Thursday. “And being a veteran guy, helping the young guys do the right thing and just have fun at the same time.”

Anybody who watched Blair tangle with the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2014 NBA playoffs knows he’s not underselling the energy and toughness angle.

Kris Humphries feels great about joining Wizards

Here’s CSN Washington with an update on a new Wizard:

Kris Humphries feels great about joining Wizards

In 10 seasons, Kris Humphries only has been to the playoffs three times. He has never been past the first round either, but who would’ve thought coming to the Wizards could get him closer to his goal?

“There are sacrifices all the way around when you try to work for something greater,” Humphries said via conference call from Los Angeles on Wednesday. “From guys who are there to guys coming in, when you’re on a team like this — I feel blessed to be in this situation — everything you do is important and you feel important. … Whatever you do on a winning team is magnified. You feel better about doing stuff when you’re working toward something. It’s a little tougher when you’re playing the right way, making sacrifices and your team doesn’t have a chance to make the playoffs.”

A 6-9 forward, Humphries has been a role player for his entire career, averaging 6.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. While he has averaged a double-double twice, it came on Nets teams that won 24 and 22 games. The Wizards acquired him in a trade with the Boston Celtics in July on a three-year deal.

John Wall gives Sam Cassell some credit for his development

Here’s CSN Washington reporting on Wizards point guard John Wall:

John Wall gives Sam Cassell some credit for his development

John Wall’s development over his first four NBA seasons led to his first All-Star selection and a leading role in the Wizards’ run to the Eastern Conference semifinal playoff round. Having three-time NBA champion point guard turned assistant coach Sam Cassell to learn from helped the growth process.

“He was a big part of it,” Wall said. “Definitely helped me with my jump shot. Just being a mentor, somebody who was a point guard who knew the game very well. It was big.”

The key word used multiple time in that quote is “was.” Cassell left Washington for an assistant coaching job with the Los Angeles Clippers last week.

Al Harrington signs with team in China

Here’s the Washington Post Blog with an update on veteran forward Al Harrington:

Al Harrington signs with basketball team in China

Al Harrington spent some of his summer as a de facto assistant coach for the Wizards’ summer league outfit in Las Vegas, but will not be returning to the team in any capacity at least to start the upcoming season. The veteran forward announced on Instagram Sunday that he will play in China for the Fujian SBS Xunxing Sturgeons. Harrington signed a one-year deal, according to Bleacher Report.

“Looking forward to the Challenge at hand,” part of Harrington’s Instagram caption read. “To help my team reach the Playoffs and WIN once we get there. Secondly I wanna say THANK YOU to the Washington Wizards Organization…”

Wizards hire Roy Rogers as assistant coach

Wizards hire Roy Rogers as assistant coach

The Washington Wizards announced today that the team has named Roy Rogers as an assistant on the staff of Head Coach Randy Wittman.

Rogers comes to Washington after spending the 2013-14 season with the Brooklyn Nets. He began his NBA coaching career with the Nets, serving as an assistant coach from 2008-2010. He then served as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics as part of Doc Rivers’ staff in 2010-11 before joining the Detroit Pistons for two seasons (2011-2013) under head coach Lawrence Frank.

Prior to his first stint with the Nets, Rogers coached in the NBA Development League with the Austin Toros (2007-08), Tulsa 66ers (2005-07) and Huntsville Flight (2004-05). Selected 22nd overall in the 1996 NBA Draft out of the University of Alabama, Rogers spent three years in the NBA, averaging 4.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in his NBA career split between four teams (Vancouver, Boston, Toronto and Denver). He also played four seasons (2000-04) of professional basketball internationally with stops in Russia, Italy, Greece and Poland.

Rogers will join returning assistants Don Newman, Don Zierden and Pat Sullivan and newcomer David Adkins, who was hired earlier this summer, on the Wizards’ bench.