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Even While Silent, Arenas Is the Talk of the Wizards
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Several veterans mentioned health and the development of younger players like Blatche, Young, McGuire and Pecherov as keys to having success without Arenas.
Blatche, who is entering his fourth season, played in all 82 games last season with 15 starts and posted career highs in scoring, rebounding, shooting percentage and minutes played.
"He's the wild card," Jamison said. "I see no reason why Andray can't average 14 or 15 points this season. We're counting on him."
Players rave about some of the talents Young has displayed during pickup games in recent weeks, and the 6-foot-6, 200-pounder flashed his skills as scorer in sporadic duty last season. But Jordan wants him to improve defensively and become a better passer, cutter and screener.
McGuire, who saw limited action in 70 games as a rookie, had a strong summer league and wants to prove that he can be Butler's backup at small forward. Pecherov is hoping to stay healthy after foot and ankle problems hampered him early last season and limited him to 35 games.
"It's on all of us to raise the level of our games and grow as players but we definitely need those young guys to step up and help us," said Butler. "They have the ability and last year those guys got some experience, so now it's a matter of putting it together and bringing it on a nightly basis."
Wizards notes: Butler, who was limited to 58 games last season because of a string of injuries, said he is healthy and credits yoga lessons taken during the offseason with making him stronger and more flexible.
"Yoga got me through," said Butler, who was given the nickname "Tough Juice" by Jordan two seasons ago. "It got me opening up my hips so I'm looser. Dropping pounds. My body feels great. Tough Juice and yoga. How's that sound?"
