Category: Washington Wizards Blog

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.

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 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

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

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.

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

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.