The AP reports: Melvin Ely had 19 points and eight rebounds and Chris Paul added 10 points and eight assists to help the Hornets wrap up the NBA’s annual preseason tour of Europe with another strong performance. New Orleans, which cruised to a 96-80 victory over Washington in the first meeting on Tuesday in Berlin, will return home with a 5-0 preseason record… Caron Butler and rookie center JaVale McGee led Washington with 15 points each, while Jamison, who missed Tuesday’s loss, shot just 4-of-14 to finish with nine points.
Category: Washington Wizards Blog
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Brendan Haywood out 4-6 months after surgery
Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that center Brendan Haywood had successful surgery to repair a torn dorsal scapho-lunate ligament in his right wrist. He originally suffered the injury on Thursday, October 2 during the Wizards’ training camp in Richmond, VA.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Haywood is expected to make a full recovery after missing four to six months while recovering from the surgery. He will spend the next 10 weeks in a cast before he begins the rehabilitation process.
Oct 14: Hornets 96, Wizards 80
The AP reports: Chris Paul had eight assists and scored four points to help the Hornets jump out to an 18-0 lead. He played the entire first and third quarters and sat out the other two, finishing with 11 assists and nine points… The Hornets opened the second half without forward Julian Wright, who had to be carried off the court with a sprained ankle in the second quarter… Washington outscored the Hornets 22-15 in the third quarter, led by guard DeShawn Stevenson’s three 3-pointers. Stevenson hit five 3-pointers and finished with 15 points.
Wizards waive Taj McCullough
Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived forward Taj McCullough.
McCullough appeared in two preseason games for Washington and averaged 3.0 points in 9.5 minutes per game. McCullough originally signed with Washington on September 22, 2008.
The Wizards roster (attached) now stands at 17.
Wizards used to suffering injuries
The Washington Times (Mike Jones) reports: While the loss of starting center Brendan Haywood, who needs wrist surgery and will miss four to six months, is a blow to the Washington Wizards, the team is rather well-prepared for this type of situation. Last year, the Wizards lost center Etan Thomas to a heart operation that sidelined him for the entire season. Only eight games into the season, franchise player Gilbert Arenas had a second surgery on his left knee and missed 66 consecutive games. And fellow All-Star Caron Butler missed 24 games of his own with injuries. But Washington found a way to overcome the absences and reach the playoffs for a fourth straight year. The year before that, All-Star forward Antawn Jamison missed 12 games with injury, and Butler and Arenas both went down in April with hand and knee injuries, respectively. Again, the Wizards held on down the stretch to make the playoffs.
Oct 8: Wizards 89, Grizzlies 80
The AP reports: JaVale McGee, Washington’s first-round draft choice out of Nevada-Reno, had 20 points and eight rebounds Wednesday night to lead the Wizards to a 89-80 preseason victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. McGee shot 8-for-12 from the field for Washington. Andray Blatche scored 14 points and DerMarr Johnson had 11… Rudy Gay scored 21 points on 5-for-19 shooting for Memphis, winless in two games. Hakim Warrick added 16 points, but was 3-for-9 as the Grizzlies shot 35 percent on the night. Greg Buckner finished with 11 for Memphis and rookie Marc Gasol had 10. Meanwhile, O.J. Mayo, the third-overall pick from Southern Cal, connected on 3-of-11 from the field for Memphis and finished with seven points.
B.Haywood to have wrist surgery
Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that center Brendan Haywood will have surgery to repair a torn dorsal scapho-lunate ligament in his right wrist. He originally suffered the injury during last week’s training camp in Richmond, VA.
Haywood visited two hand specialists in New York earlier today who both concluded that surgery was necessary to repair the torn ligament. No timetable will be determined for Haywood’s return until after surgery, which has yet to be scheduled.
“Brendan worked extremely hard over the summer after having a career year last season,” said Grunfeld. “This is disappointing, but we’re confident that he will do everything necessary to recover from this injury and continue that progress.”
Haywood averaged career highs of 10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks last season while shooting .528 (316-599) from the field.
Antawn Jamison has knee contusion
Wizards forward Antawn Jamison has been diagnosed with a right knee contusion after an MRI today revealed no other damage. No timetable has been set for his return, but Jamison is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
Jamison left last night’s preseason game at Dallas at the 7:40 mark of the first quarter and did not return.
InsideHoops.com editor says: It’s great news for the Wizards that the injury is minor, especially with word about to come out that Brendan Haywood needs wrist surgery. Wizards star Gilbert Arenas is already out until maybe January, or later, leaving Jamison and small forward Caron Butler to once again carry the team for a long stretch of time.
Oct 7: Mavs 108, Wizards 82
The AP reports: Dirk Nowitzki and Brandon Bass each scored 17 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 108-82 victory over the injury-depleted Washington Wizards on Tuesday night in the preseason opener for both teams. Wizards forward Antawn Jamison left in the first quarter with a right knee injury and did not return… Andray Blatche’s 18 points paced the Wizards. Dallas’ Josh Howard, who finished with 15 points, was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos from the crowd when he was introduced with the starting lineup following a controversy-filled offseason.
Quotes from entire Wizards team
Here are some interview quotes from every Washington Wizards player except Gilbert Arenas, from the team’s media day today:
WIZARDS FORWARD ANTAWN JAMISON
On the Wizards:
“This team is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that we win games. I think now we need more of our young players to step up. I think if they can contribute, then we should be alright. We definitely need somebody to pick up those points that we’re missing from Gilbert, but we still have two NBA All-Stars that are going to go out there and get it done.”
On training camp:
“I think there is something different with this training camp. We actually need this in order to really get it going because we were left with a bad taste in our mouth after losing in the first round of the playoffs. We need a lot of guys to get the reps in, understand their role and get some playing time because once the season starts we need to be clicking on all cylinders. We can’t afford for things to take a week or two to get going. We have to be playing pretty good basketball when the season gets started.”
WIZARDS FORWARD CARON BUTLER
On training camp:
“We’ve been working out here for the last month, and we’ve got the same corps together with some new additions, so I’m anxious to get this thing going. I’m feeling really good physically. I just can’t wait for the season to start.”
On the off-season:
“Yoga…Yoga got me through. It helped me open up my hips and get looser. I’ve dropped a few pounds so there is less impact on my body. I went through the last two and a half months playing extremely hard with full contact and I didn’t have a single injury, so I’m feeling great physically.”
WIZARDS GUARD ANTONIO DANIELS
On his wrist:
“No, I didn’t [have surgery on my wrist]. I got another opinion, and they told me it wasn’t the best thing for me to do. I feel a lot better. I’ll play with it lightly braced like I did this summer and God willing I’ll be fine.”
On training camp:
“Training camp is very important for a number of different reasons. You have the young guys and the new guys, the free agents that are very important to this team and they need to be implemented into the offense, the offensive structure and the defensive foundation. They have to learn what it’s about and what’s going on. The guys that have been here understand what’s going on, but we need this training camp to redevelop that connection that we had [last season].”
WIZARDS CENTER BRENDAN HAYWOOD
On training camp:
“I look at training camp as a necessary evil. It’s one of those things that you know you have to go through. You want to go out there, play your best, start building for something and get past it. I think everybody will go out there, play their role and work hard.”
On Etan Thomas:
“I think everybody is happy to see him back, especially after what he went through last year. That will be one of the feel good stories this year for the Washington Wizards. I’m excited to have him back.”
WIZARDS GUARD DESHAWN STEVENSON
On expectations for this season:
“The first thing is to get everybody healthy…win games and get to the playoffs, get past the first round and do the things that we know we can do.”
On starting the season without Gilbert Arenas:
“We’d love to have him, but people will just have to step up. People are going to be put in bigger roles, so we’ve just got to go out there and do what we have to do to win games.”
WIZARDS FORWARD DARIUS SONGAILA
On training camp:
“It’s always good to start off healthy because you kind of get into the groove of things. During preseason and training camp, you start to form chemistry with the team. So if you miss that, then you kind of fall behind.”
WIZARDS FORWARD/CENTER ANDRAY BLATCHE
On his goals for this season:
“I’m looking forward to this year. I feel like this year is going to be a big year for me. I’ve been here for awhile and I’ve been working hard. I think this might be a breakout season for me. I’ve been working so hard.”
WIZARDS CENTER ETAN THOMAS
On missing last season:
“It was really tough to sit there and watch and not be able to do anything, but it was also really motivational to be able to watch tapes of the games during my rehab. It’s great to be back and to come down and work out with the guys.”
On returning to action:
“I feel great. I’m really excited to be back and for camp to start. I got checked out last week and everything looked good, so I’m ready to go. I’m looking to make a big difference [this season]. I’m going to go out there and play hard and play physical — that’s what I bring to the table.”
WIZARDS GUARD/FORWARD NICK YOUNG
On training camp:
“I’m looking forward to it. I just want to work hard and make it through two-a-days. I’m going to go out and give it my all.”
WIZARDS FORWARD/CENTER OLEKSIY PECHEROV
On what he needs to do to be successful:
“It’s about effort, it’s about energy, it’s about giving 100 percent and it’s about staying healthy. If we’re healthy this season, then it is going to be a good season.”
WIZARDS FORWARD DOMINIC MCGUIRE
On the off-season:
“I’ve been in the gym twice a day, and I had my first child, so that was big for me. I’ve just been working out and spending time with him [my son].”
On training camp:
“[I need to show] that I’m a lot better player than what I showed last year. Last year was a learning experience for me, and I’ve improved a lot since then.”
WIZARDS GUARD JUAN DIXON
On returning to the Wizards:
“It feels great to be back. I’m really excited to be back in Washington and to resume my career with the Wizards. I’m looking forward to the start of training camp. I’m ready to step-in and contribute wherever Coach (Eddie) Jordan and the team need me.”
On how the team has changed since he was last here:
“I think this team is more established. Ernie (Grunfeld) had just got here when I was here; Eddie Jordan was trying to get his system in. Now guys are more familiar with Coach, and Coach is more familiar with the guys. It’s a more open game too — guys are out there having fun and playing.”
WIZARDS GUARD DEE BROWN
On expectations for this season:
“Every time you see me out there I’m going to be trying my hardest. I’m going to compete and work hard every day. I’m going to stay positive. Whatever my team needs me to do to win, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to do whatever Coach (Eddie) Jordan needs me to do in order to be successful and for this team to win.”
On Eddie Jordan:
“He’s been phenomenal for me. He’s a great coach and he really loves the game.”
WIZARDS CENTER JAVALE MCGEE
On the off-season:
“I’ve been trying to get stronger, working on my conditioning and trying to learn the plays. It’s been great. I’ve just been working real hard.”
WIZARDS FORWARD DERMARR JOHNSON
On playing in his hometown of Washington DC:
“It feels good. All of my family and friends that saw me play when I was growing up now have the chance to see me play as a pro. I had been exploring the option [of playing for the Wizards] all summer. I spent the whole summer here coming to the gym and working out. I can’t wait. There’s nothing better for me than being here with the Wizards.”
WIZARDS FORWARD LINTON JOHNSON
On the upcoming season:
“It’s another exciting year. It feels good to be a part of this organization. Last year I started off in Spain, so it’s good to be back here at home. I’m excited because we have a good group of guys. I’m familiar with the system because it’s similar to what I played with the [New Jersey] Nets and with the [New Orleans] Hornets.”
WIZARDS FORWARD TAJ MCCULLOUGH
On what is expected of him:
“They’re looking for me to keep doing what I’ve been doing — working hard, rebounding and not going outside of my game.”