Jamison's Absence Still a Huge Problem
Monday, February 12, 2007; Page E07
Even as his team stacked up wins during December and January, Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan cautioned that momentum would be tested if Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler or Antawn Jamison went down with an injury.
Jamison missed his fifth straight game with a sprained left knee yesterday and a 94-73 loss to Portland left the Wizards 1-4 without him.
TRACKING THE WIZARDS Andray Blatche will attend 'John School,' a day-long seminar on the ills of solicitation. The Wizards re-sign forward Andray Blatche to a multiyear deal. After a delay, the Wizards finalize a trade of guard Juan Carlos Navarro to Memphis for a draft pick. Wizards Insider Ivan Carter and Michael Lee with exclusive coverage and analysis on the Washington Wizards. NBA Basics |
Jordan started second-year forward Andray Blatche yesterday but neither Blatche nor Darius Songaila, who is getting his legs back after missing the first 45 games with a lower back injury, is ready to match Jamison's production.
Blatche was 4 of 9 from the field and finished with eight points and six rebounds. Songaila was 1 of 3 from the field and finished with four points and one rebound. They combined for seven turnovers.
"We haven't found the answer for missing Antawn," Jordan said. "Our forwards are not ready to make plays at the offensive end. They don't make shots. The bench hasn't been very good and it wasn't very good tonight. We're searching."
Washington's bench was outscored 50-26 and outrebounded 22-12.
Fans Show Unrest
The Wizards were showered with boos for one of the few times all season yesterday. "The fans are going to be here and support us no matter what, but when you do not play up to your capabilities, you will hear about it," Butler said. "We have to stay strong mentally and bounce back. If you do not put on a good show, you will get booed, and we understand that."
