Jordan Concerned Over Turnovers in Preseason

With Wednesday's regular season opener in Cleveland approaching, Washington Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan is trying to get his team to cut down on turnovers.

The Wizards averaged 20.6 turnovers in eight preseason games, and that number wasn't solely a product of increased playing time for reserves. The starters each averaged at least a turnover per game.

"I think we averaged over 20 turnovers a game and we need to keep those down," Jordan said. "That stands out a lot because that hurts your defense and it hurts your offense. "

The Wizards ranked 10th in the league last season with 13.9 turnovers per game, a solid showing considering that they played an up-tempo style and were the third-highest scoring team in the league (101.7 points per game).

The Wizards offset many of their turnovers by taking away the ball at the other end, ranking third in the league in steals per turnover (0.58). The steals could decrease this season if Jordan follows through on his plan to cut down on trapping and pressing and play more half-court, man-to-man defense.

The Wizards will have a different defensive look and philosophy without the 6-foot-11 Jared Jeffries, who often defended opposing shooting guards and was used in trapping and pressure defenses.

Jeffries's replacement, DeShawn Stevenson, is 6-5, and Jordan likely will rotate Jarvis Hayes, Caron Butler and Antonio Daniels at the shooting guard position as well.

"We'll probably have more of a conventional look," Jordan said.

Mum on Starting Center

Jordan has made a decision about whether Etan Thomas or Brendan Haywood will start at center Wednesday night, but he wasn't ready to reveal it after yesterday's practice at Verizon Center.

Haywood and Thomas rotated starts during the preseason, but Jordan appears to be leaning toward Thomas. He wants to wait at least until after tomorrow's practice to make it official. The Wizards will take today off.

"I know [who will start], but I still want to go through another practice," Jordan told reporters. "It's a process of talking to the team and talking to the individuals involved before I tell you guys."

Hurting Players Limited

Forward Antawn Jamison, guard Gilbert Arenas and center-forward Michael Ruffin were limited during yesterday's practice. Jamison has been resting a sore right shoulder, Arenas has a bruised hip and Ruffin has been bothered by a bruised right foot. All three will be ready for Wednesday's opener, according to Jordan.

Forward Darius Songaila remains out with a pinched nerve in his lower back but did some light shooting after practice yesterday.

"It's getting a little better but it's not there yet," Songaila said. . . .

After the Wizards' final preseason game in Detroit on Tuesday night, Butler expressed a sentiment held by many NBA players toward the preseason:

"Thank goodness it's over. It's time to play for real. It's always good to get a few games under your belt, but now I'm ready for the games to count."