Wizards Showing Defensive Growth
RICHMOND, Sept. 29 — When the Washington Wizards got off to a slow start last season, dropping their first five games while struggling offensively, Coach Eddie Jordan theorized that the overwhelming emphasis he and his staff placed on defense during the preseason was a factor.
This week, as the Wizards lay a foundation for the upcoming season, Jordan is striking more of a balance between offense and defense.
“We’re into the offense,” Jordan said Monday after his team completed its third practice of camp. “It’s not like we’ve had two or three practices and it’s been 80 percent defense and 20 percent offense. It’s been about 60/40 because the system is in defensively for the second year. As long as they give effort and they remember our scheme, then we’re ahead of last year.”
NBA’s top 10 power forwards
Amare Stoudemire keeps getting better, but he’s still a notch behind KG and Timmy as Mike Kahn ranks the top 10 power forwards.
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Pacers won’t comment on reported Tinsley deal
The Indiana Pacers declined to comment Friday on a report that point guard Jamaal Tinsley would be traded to Denver for Steven Hunter and Chucky Atkins. Pacers president Larry Bird downplayed the report, which appeared in Friday’s New York Post, saying the team wouldn’t comment on “trade rumors” involving any of its players. Hunter’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, denied his client was involved in the reported deal. “There’s nothing happening with that trade,” Bartelstein told The Associated Press.NBA/~4/410584145″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>
Bulls: Noah to miss 5 days with eye injury
Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah will likely miss five days after being poked in the left eye during practice. The team said Friday that the injury left Noah with blood in the front chamber of his eye after being hurt Wednesday. He’ll be monitored daily by the Bulls‘ medical staff. Noah averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 74 games as a rookie last season. The Bulls take on Dallas at the United Center on Thursday in their preseason opener.NBA/~4/410435363″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>
Wizards Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
The Wizards were hoping to get back to being the running and gunning team of two years ago going into the 2008-09 season, but that all went up in smoke when three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas underwent knee surgery for the third time since April 2007.
Arenas is expected to miss the first month of the season because of an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee, and in an Eastern Conference that has become increasingly more competitive over the last two seasons, the Wizards‘ four-year streak of playoff appearances could be in jeopardy.
The Wizards forked over $111 million to Arenas during the offseason, awarding him the largest contract in franchise history. And even though the surgery is considered to be minor, the Wizards have to be concerned that this could be a…
