Washington Wizards Blog – Page 49 – NBA Blog

Quick look at the Wizards

Even though the Wizards added veteran forwards Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza, and drafted shooting guard Bradley Beal in the first round of the draft, the Wizards’ success will rely heavily on former #1 pick John Wall. The speedy and electric point guard had a solid second season but he will have to elevate his game even further this season if the Wizards want to stay out of being in the lottery for the fifth straight season.

Wall had a very good rookie season, averaging 16 points and 8 assists but he had almost identical numbers his sophomore campaign. It was not the improvement that was envisioned when he was taken with the top selection in the 2010 NBA draft. By comparison, Chicago’s point guard Derrick Rose — taken #1 in 2008 — took huge leaps each season, especially in his second and third seasons in the league when his average went up from 16 points his rookie season to 25 by the end of year three.

Wall is going to have to score more this upcoming season and he has the potential to do so with his offensive explosiveness, but his jump shot must improve. Wall has been working on his jumper this summer and even hired a shooting specialist to help him find his touch.

— Reported by Frank Hanrahan of CSN Washington

Washington Wizards hire Jerry Sichting as assistant coach

The Washington Wizards announced today that Jerry Sichting will join Randy Wittman’s staff as an assistant coach.

Sichting brings 24 years of experience as an NBA player, coach and talent evaluator to the Wizards’ bench, including 11 seasons serving as an assistant both alongside and under Wittman with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I’m obviously very familiar with what Jerry will add to our staff and I’m thrilled to have him on board,” said Wittman. “His experience playing, teaching and evaluating the game will be valuable on the bench and on the practice court as we continue to develop our players and establish this team’s identity.”

Sichting originally began his career with Minnesota in 1995-96 as the team’s director of scouting and player development before moving to the bench and adding assistant coach to his title for the next nine seasons (seven of which were spent alongside Wittman). After a stint as an assistant with Marquette University in 2006-07, Sichting returned to the Timberwolves for two seasons as an assistant under Wittman, who had been promoted to head coach. He returned to the front office as director of pro personnel in 2009-10 before joining the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach for the 2010-11 campaign. Sichting most recently stepped in to coach Martinsville (Ind.) High School, his alma mater, following the abrupt retirement of the team’s head coach during the 2011-12 season.

As a player, Sichting averaged 6.9 points and 3.3 assists over 598 games and 10 seasons with Indiana, Boston, Portland, Charlotte and Milwaukee. He began his playing career in 1980 with the Pacers, and averaged a career-high 11.5 points per game during the 1983-84 season. Sichting went on to help the Celtics capture the 1986 NBA Championship, averaging 6.5 points per game off the bench. He returned to Boston after his playing career ended, spending four seasons (1991-95) as an analyst on the Celtics’ radio broadcasts.

Sichting was originally a fourth-round selection (82nd) overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1979 NBA Draft out of Purdue University, where he was the captain of the 1978-79 Boilermakers squad that captured the Big 10 Championship. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Wizards not worried about Nene injury

Nene sat out the final game of pool play for Brazil on Monday with soreness in his left foot, but the Wizards have been monitoring the injury and remain optimistic that it will not be a problem when training camp begins on Oct. 2, according to a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking.

Nene is expected to be available on Wednesday when Brazil (4-1) plays Argentina in the quarterfinals. Brazilian Coach Ruben Magnano rested Nene against Spain, but his team still won, 88-82, in a game that it didn’t need to win and possibly set up a more difficult path for a medal. Brazil is seeking its first Olympic medal since 1964.

— Reported by Michael Lee of the Washington Post (Blog)

Roger Mason Jr signing with Hornets

After attracting attention from the Wizards, New Orleans, Chicago, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers, among others, Mason eventually settled on the Hornets. He agreed to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum on Wednesday, effectively going from one former No. 1 pick from Kentucky (John Wall) to another (Anthony Davis).

“I’m excited. They told me from the start that they wanted me. They stayed in touch. They have a clear role for me, as far as me not just being a veteran leader, but a guy that can contribute on the court,” Mason said in a telephone interview. “I just love the direction the franchise is going. So I’m looking forward to heading down there.”

Mason, 31, will be surrounded by some familiar faces in New Orleans, having already worked with Hornets General Manager Dell Demps while the two were in San Antonio and with assistant general manager Tim Connelly, the former director of player personnel for the Wizards. He has also spoken with Hornets Coach Monty Williams, a District native, several times during the recruiting process.

— Reported by Michael Lee of the Washington Post (Blog)

Wizards sign guard A.J. Price

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed free agent guard A.J. Price.

“A.J. is an experienced and dependable player who fits in well with the mix of proven veterans and young players we have on our roster,” said Grunfeld. “Adding him will help to bring depth to our backcourt rotation.”

Price (6-1, 185) holds career averages of 6.0 points, 2.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 150 games over three seasons with Indiana. He was originally selected by the Pacers in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft out of the University of Connecticut. Price averaged 3.9 points and 2.0 assists in 44 games last season. He has appeared in nine career playoff games, averaging 4.9 points (including 8.4 points over five games during the 2011 NBA Playoffs).

Andray Blatche clears waivers, becomes a free agent

As expected, Andray Blatche cleared waivers Thursday when none of the nine teams with salary cap space made the minimum bid of $3.79 million to acquire him. Blatche is now an unrestricted free agent.

Blatche’s agent, Andy Miller, said he doesn’t expect teams to make a serious push for his client’s services until the conclusion of summer league.

The Wizards designated Blatche as their amnesty player Tuesday, ending a seven-year relationship with the 6-foot-11 power forward, who has career averages of 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. Blatche will receive the entire $23 million remaining on his contract, over three years. His salary, however, is no longer on the Wizards’ payroll, under the rules of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

— Reported by Michael Lee of the Washington Post (Blog)

Nuggets offer $50 million contract to JaVale McGee

The Nuggets continue to pursue restricted free-agent center JaVale McGee, who has a five-year, $50 million offer on the table, a source said. But McGee’s representatives don’t appear to be in a hurry to get a deal done and will continue to negotiate.

The Nuggets can match any offer another NBA team would make to McGee, 24.

In the 20 regular-season games he played for the Nuggets last season, the 7-footer averaged 10.3 points and 5.8 rebounds and made five starts.

— Reported by Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post

Wizards re-sign Cartier Martin

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed forward/guard Cartier Martin. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

“Cartier has been with our team for parts of the past three seasons and he has always made a positive contribution both on the court and in the locker room,” said Grunfeld. “In addition to his three-point shooting touch, he is a good defender and gives us another solid veteran to help solidify our bench.”

Martin averaged a career-high 9.3 points to go along with 3.4 rebounds while shooting .440 from the field and .387 from three-point range in 17 games (two starts) with the Wizards last season. He was originally signed to consecutive 10-day contracts by the team (on March 28 and April 8, respectively) before being signed for the remainder of the season on April 18. Martin topped 20 points twice for the Wizards last season (including a career-high 22 points in an April 21 win at Miami) and scored in double figures six times.

Martin holds career averages of 5.0 points and 1.9 rebounds while shooting .371 from three-point range in 120 games between Washington, Charlotte and Golden State. The 6-7 product of Kansas State had previously appeared for the Wizards in both the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons and has averaged 5.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 77 games as a member of the team.

Wizards hire Don Newman as assistant coach

The Washington Wizards announced today that Don Newman will join Randy Wittman’s staff as an assistant coach.

Newman brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to the Wizards’ staff, including the past seven seasons as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs. During his successful tenure with the Spurs, Newman worked under Gregg Popovich and helped lead San Antonio to a pair of NBA Championships (2005 and 2007), a pair of Western Conference championships (2005 and 2007) and five Division titles (2005, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012). In each of Newman’s seven seasons on the bench, the Spurs won 50 or more games, including a 50-16 mark last season en route to a Southwest Division title.

“Don is an outstanding coach and a great addition to our staff,” said Wizards Head Coach Randy Wittman. “He brings championship experience from his time with the Spurs and has been very successful in every stop of his career.”

Newman originally joined the NBA as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1999. In his four seasons with the Bucks, Milwaukee made three playoff appearances and won the Central Division title in the 2000-01 season. Newman served as an assistant with the New Jersey during the 2003-04 season, in which the Nets captured the Atlantic Division title and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. He also served as an assistant for USA Basketball during the 2002 World Championships.

Newman spent 10 years in college basketball prior to his time in the NBA. He served as a head coach with Sacramento State (1992-97) and was named the interim head coach at Arizona State in 1997, leading the Sun Devils to an 18-14 record and a trip to the NIT Tournament. Newman also had stints as an assistant coach with Oregon and Washington State.

Newman played three seasons of basketball at the University of Idaho (after spending his freshman year at LSU) and was originally drafted by two NBA teams. After being selected by Indiana in the fourth round of the 1979 Draft (as a junior eligible selection), he was selected by Boston in the third round of the 1980 Draft. He played three seasons in the CBA (for the Montana Golden Nuggets where George Karl was his head coach) and also played seven seasons in the CFL. He was invited to training camp with both the Seattle Seahawks and the New York Jets.

Rashard Lewis to meet with Miami Heat

The Miami Heat had a 10-time All-Star visit Thursday in free-agent guard Ray Allen. This weekend, they will be playing host to a two-time All-Star.

Colin Bryant, one of the agents for Rashard Lewis, confirmed the free-agent forward will be taking a look at the Heat. He said Lewis is intrigued by the possibility of joining them.

“They’re a championship team and a great organization, and I think he’d fit well with them,’’ Bryant said. “It would definitely be a great overall situation.’’

The Heat on Thursday entertained Allen, who has played the last five seasons with Boston. The most they can offer Allen is the $3.09 million taxpayer exception for next season, which is what they’ve done. The total offer is for $9.53 million over three years.

— Reported by Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida