| It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Authored by Aaron Archer - October 9, 2005 - 11:36 am
October 9, 2005
By Aaron Archer
Yes, it’s that time of year again. School is in full swing. Leaves are falling. The NFL is monopolizing Sunday afternoons once again. Wives have made room in the family budget for new wool separates. And in small college gyms across America the bouncing of orange balls can be heard. Add in the squeak of new sneakers and you realize that the National Basketball Association is coming to life for yet another exciting season.
Speaking of exciting seasons, it would be hard to top the euphoria in the nation’s capital when the Washington Wizards won their first playoff series in two decades this past May. And the buzz is picking up again in Richmond, Virginia as the Wizards hold their 2005 training camp at Virginia Commonwealth University. I was one of nearly 3,000 fans at the Siegel Center for a public intra-squad scrimmage this past Saturday night, making the 200-mile roundtrip from the D.C. area. I was a bit disappointed when I found out that the quarters were only 6 minutes long and the game only lasted for a total of 45 minutes, but I did get to shake Phil Chenier’s hand and take a few notes on what I saw. Time won’t allow me to give details on every player, but I’ll give you the highlights.
The talent was distributed evenly between the two teams and everyone got a chance to show what they could do. All-Stars Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison were mostly playing it cool. One thing I did notice is that Gil has stopped putting the ball around his back on free throws but he’s still nailing them with ease. I also saw several of Jamison’s shots come up short off the front of the rim. He didn’t look bothered by his knee, but it is understandable that the man is likely still in the process of getting his legs back.
Another entrenched starter, the center formerly known as Brenda, seemed to make only a cameo appearance. He showed definite improvement last year, so much so that we call him Brendan now. Not everyone is sold yet (my boy JC still has him as a starter on his “All Charmin” team) but Haywood seems poised to take another step forward this year. He showed off a nice baseline drop step move and was aggressive overall, even fighting the hulking Etan Thomas for the ball at one point.
We got to see a lot of Peter John Ramos, who finally seems to be actually interested in the game. He was active and looked to score. He did air ball one jump shot, but he still looks like he could be one of the best big men in the developmental league this season. Donnell Taylor, another NBADL candidate, got lots of playing time as well. He actually reminds me of the recently departed Larry Hughes. Similar build and skill set, just younger and less polished. He didn’t do anything spectacular, but he made a nice move to split defenders and was able to get a steal or two. He even got some extra coaching from Mike O’Koren, one of the Wizards’ assistant coaches, during one of the stoppages in play. Looks like Taylor is definitely in the team’s plans.
The recent acquisitions of Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins were also on display, and I liked what I saw from both. Caron, who led the winning team with 10 points, was athletic and active on defense. He got one steal by overplaying a post entry pass, and got another by playing the passing lanes at mid court. I was most impressed with Atkins, though. He ran the fast break well, twice making no look passes and once finding Gilbert in rhythm for a jump shot. His pure point guard skills are a welcome addition to say the least.
All of the guys played and there were no injuries, which is always a good thing. Eddie Jordan said a few words of thanks after the game and then it was off to the locker room. The team has one more practice on Sunday and then they come home to the Phone Booth to face Larry Hughes and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first of seven preseason games. And before you know it, it’ll be time to officially tip-off the 2005-06 season in Toronto on November 2.
Hope springs eternal for every NBA club right now, but especially for the Wizards who look to build on their most successful season in years. Indeed for them, and for us diehard fans, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
Aaron “LyricalRico” Archer can be reached at lyricalrico2k1@hotmail.com.
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