Washington Wizards Blog – Page 66 – NBA Blog

Gilbert Arenas not yet living up to giant contract

Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports (via blog):

Gilbert Arenas had to understand when he signed the deal that he would be viewed as the $111-million guy — if he was unable to produce. No one talks about Kobe Bryant’s salary or LeBron James’s salary or Dwight Howard’s salary because they are getting things done for their organizations.

Right now, Arenas is struggling to regain the form that earned him the salary, but when you put your name on the dotted line, criticism comes with the territory. The bigger the money, the bigger the profile, the bigger the scrutiny. You either live up to the deal and nobody mentions it, or you don’t.

When Arenas made three all-star appearances and a playoff series victory from 2004-07, most viewed the six-year, $65-million contract he signed as a bargain. But with the team going 26-79 since he started his latest deal (with Arenas playing just two games last season), the contract is going to be figuratively tattooed on his forehead.

Earl Boykins helping the Wizards

Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports:

When the Washington Wizards signed Earl Boykins three weeks ago, they were depleted at the point guard position and simply needed to fill a hole. But after the team got off to a ragged start this season, Boykins is actually helping to make the team whole.

The Wizards are 5-4 since Boykins joined the team on a non-guaranteed contract on Nov. 11. And, as they prepare to face the Toronto Raptors on Friday at Verizon Center, the Wizards (7-10) have won four of their past five games and appear to be turning a corner with the 5-foot-5 Boykins running the show in the fourth quarter in three of those victories. His most triumphant performance came during their 104-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, when Boykins scored 11 points in the final 10 minutes, including the game-winning free throws with one second remaining.

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Wizards owner Abe Pollin dies

The following statement was released Tuesday afternoon by the Washington Wizards:

Washington Sports & Entertainment Chairman Abe Pollin passed away earlier today. Further details will be released through Washington Sports & Entertainment as they become available. The Pollin family asks that their privacy be respected in this difficult time.

Philly Burbs reports: Pollin was known as a driving force in the revitalization of downtown Washington, particularly in the Chinatown area where the Wizards play, as well as a loyal man and passionate owner who desperately wanted to bring another championship to a franchise that last celebrated a title in 1977-78, when Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes were the team’s stars.

The Washington Post reports: Decades ago, Abe Pollin showed up at Wes Unseld’s wedding. Years later, he showed up at Unseld’s father’s funeral. Fill in the blanks for all the moments in between, “too many to even mention,” said Unseld, a man who worked for Pollin as a player and a coach and an executive. More than 30 years ago, Pollin met young lawyers who were just showing up in a business in which he had already toiled for years. “He couldn’t have been nicer to me, a kid lawyer,” said Gary Bettman, now the commissioner of the NHL. “Just extraordinarily kind, when he didn’t need to be,” said Stan Kasten, now the president of the Washington Nationals.

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Wizards struggling early

Despite the return of Gilbert Arenas this season, the Washington Wizards are off to a rocky start to the 2009-10 NBA season.

Mike Jones of the Washington Times reports:

Two road games, two dysfunctional performances and another new low for the Washington Wizards.

A night after getting run out of the gym by the Oklahoma City Thunder because of a sorry excuse for a defensive showing, the Wizards rode into San Antonio and actually did a decent job defending the hosting Spurs. But an ice cold offense crippled Washington in an 106-84 loss.

On Friday, the Wizards got a combined 69 points from Antawn Jamison, Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler. Saturday night, the trio combined for just 41 points to lead a squad that posted a season-worst .333 shooting clip from the field. The Wizards also got outrebounded 59-44.

Arenas had a team-high 18 points against the Spurs, but his 7-for-18 shooting performance was anything but effective, and his three turnovers were one more than his assist total for the night.

With a 3-0 record, the Wizards are tied with the Bobcats for last in the Southeast division, and have the same wins-losses as the Knicks. Only the Nets (0-13) have fewer wins in the East, and just one team (the Timberwolves) has fewer in the West.

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Antawn Jamison returns for Wizards

Mike Jones of the Washington Times reports:

After missing the first nine games of the season, Wizards forward Antawn Jamison didn’t show the slightest trace of rust in his season debut against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at Verizon Center.

Instead, the two-time All-Star put his struggling team on his back and carried it to a 108-91 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 20,173 fans.

Jamison picked up career double-double No. 263, recording 31 points and 10 rebounds, and helped the Wizards snap a six-game losing streak.

“Me coming back and just trying to stop the bleeding a little bit, we found a way to pull it off,” said Jamison, who made 12 of 22 shots from the field and five of six from the foul line. “Guys did a great job of staying focused for 48 minutes.

The Wizards began the season with great hope. The return of Gilbert Arenas inspired many to believe this team could return to glory of a few seasons ago. But they got off to a rocky start and have won just three of their 10 games.

With Jamison back, keep an eye on them over the next week or so and see if they become more of a force.

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Wizards sign Earl Boykins, waive Paul Davis

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Earl Boykins and waived C/F Paul Davis. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released. We’ll post contract details this evening. It’s probably a very short, nonguaranteed deal.

“Earl is a proven veteran point guard who will provide us with leadership and stability off of the bench,” said Grunfeld.

Boykins has career averages of 9.4 points and 3.4 assists (2.8 to 1 assist to turnover ratio) in 520 career games over 10 NBA seasons. Undrafted out of Eastern Michigan, Boykins has also played for New Jersey, Cleveland, Orlando, L.A. Clippers, Golden State, Denver, Milwaukee and Charlotte. His best season as a professional came during the 2006-07 campaign when he averaged 14.6 points and 4.4 assists while shooting .898 (220-245) from the free throw line in 66 contests with Denver and Milwaukee. Boykins played for Virtus Bologna of the Italian A League in 2008-09.

Davis appeared in two games for Washington this season and averaged 2.5 points and 1.5 assists in 4.0 minutes per game.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Boykins is actually shorter than a regulation size NBA basketball. To check into a game he has to stand on top of the scorer’s table so referees even see that he’s there.

Mike James out 4-5 weeks

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that guard Mike James will miss the next four to five weeks with a fracture of the fourth metacarpal on his left (non-shooting) hand.

James, who registered six points and three assists in his one appearance for the Wizards this season (11/6 at IND), sustained the injury during Saturday’s practice session. He missed the final nine games of last season with a fractured right pinky finger.

Mike Miller out 7-10 days

The AP reports:

Washington Wizards guard Mike Miller sprained his left shoulder in the fourth quarter of the Wizards’ game against Miami on Wednesday night and is expected to miss seven to 10 days.

Miller first hurt the shoulder in the third quarter in a collision with the Heat’s Mario Chalmers. He immediately clutched his shoulder and was taken to the locker room.

“It felt like it came out of place, went numb,” Miller said. “That scared me more than anything.”

Alan Ogg dies

The AP reports:

Alan Ogg, a 7-foot-2 shotblocker who played for UAB and spent parts of three seasons in the NBA, died Sunday from complications from a staph infection, a university spokesman said. He was 42.

UAB spokesman Norm Reilly said Ogg died at UAB Hospital.

Ogg averaged around 2.2 points per game in his short NBA career.

Condolences go out to his friends and family.

Wizards exercise options on Nick Young and JaVale McGee

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has exercised their options on both guard Nick Young and center/forward JaVale McGee. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not released.

According to Mike Jones of the Washington Times, “Young, a third-year guard, will remain under contract a fourth year and will earn roughly $2.6 million. McGee, a second-year center/forward, had his contract extended a third season, and is due to earn about $1.6 million next season.”

Under the terms of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, the first two years of a first round draft pick’s contract are guaranteed while the third and fourth year of the contract are the team’s option. Young was selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, while McGee was selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Young averaged 9.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 157 games during his first two seasons in Washington, while McGee averaged 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 block per game as a rookie with the Wizards last season.