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Jordan Wants Commitment

Aug 30, 2003 8:59 AM EST

Washington Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan said he hasn't paid too much attention to the United States' unblemished eight-game run through the Tournament of the Americas Olympic qualifier heading into Saturday's semifinal against Puerto Rico.

He has been too busy finding a place to live and putting together a plan to mesh a young, talented and interesting mix of players when training camp starts Sept. 29. Jordan does know that New Jersey Nets stars Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson are on this star-filled team and the fact he spent the past few years helping mold then into high-caliber players -- and winners -- has touched him a bit.

"To see Kenyon, Richard and Jason, I'm so happy for them," Jordan said in a phone interview. "I'm happy to have been a part in their careers and some of their success."

The feeling is mutual.

"Eddie is great," said Kidd, who was close to Jordan and said he was sad to see him leave. "He deserved a head coaching job. He was great with us in New Jersey. The big thing with him is that he works very hard. He'll get that team going."

The Nets' trio benefited greatly from the hawkish defensive schemes and ball-movement-based offense Jordan helped implement with head coach Byron Scott.

How Wizards scorers Gilbert Arenas and Jerry Stackhouse and big men Brendan Haywood, Kwame Brown and Jared Jeffries adhere to that system -- and not vice versa -- will dictate the Wizards' fortunes, Kidd and Jefferson said.

Via Washington Post

Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets

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Jeffries takes his next step on long road back

Aug 27, 2003 8:53 AM EST

The simplest things -- an elbow to the chest under the basket from George Williams and the sounds of his sneakers raking across the basketball court -- bring a smile to Jared Jeffries' face these days.

The former Indiana University standout and Indianapolis Star Indiana Mr. Basketball is immersed this week in his first on-court contact drills since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee almost nine months ago during his rookie season with the Washington Wizards.

"I'm trying to re-learn some things about my game and about myself," said Jeffries, 21, a Bloomington, Ind., native. "I'm really trying to do the little things to get myself back in a groove because having basketball taken away from me for the first time in my life tore me up."

Jeffries wasn't cleared by team doctors for limited work until Friday. And he's only allowed to play one-on-one and two-on-two games. He won't taste live, five-on-five full-court action until training camp opens Oct. 1.

Mentally and emotionally, though, Jeffries was ready months ago.

Via Indianapolis Star

Washington Wizards

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Wizards Sign Chris Whitney

Aug 25, 2003 3:14 PM EST

President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the Washington Wizards have signed free agent guard Chris Whitney. Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re extremely pleased to add an established veteran player like Chris Whitney to our roster,” Grunfeld said. “Chris is a quality person who will help us both on and off the court, and is an outstanding professional for our young players to emulate. I know that the fans in Washington have a very special relationship with Chris. He is a very competitive individual and is an outstanding perimeter shooter.”

Whitney returns to Washington where he established himself as a fan favorite during his first eight seasons as a Wizard. Entering his 11th NBA season, Whitney is the franchise leader in three-point field goals made (481) and free throw percentage (.878) for players with at least 700 attempts.

“I am thrilled to be back in Washington and to return to the community that has supported me for the majority of my career,” Whitney said. “I already have a great relationship with many guys on our roster and I look forward to working in Eddie Jordan’s system and being a part of the exciting things happening here in D.C.”

Via nba.com

Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic

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Wizards Aug 2003 Archive

  • LeBron lives Sprite-ly life

    Washington Times | Aug 25, 2003

    LeBron James has evolved into a legalized form of gambling with corporate America.

  • Blake signs Wizards deal

    Washington Times | Aug 22, 2003

    The Washington Wizards announced yesterday that they have signed University of Maryland standout Steve Blake to a contract.

  • Why TNT Was Able to Get Collins Again

    New York Times | Aug 22, 2003

    Doug Collins hadn't been a TNT analyst for nine years and now the network wanted him back.

  • Brown may get one-game suspension

    Washington Times | Aug 21, 2003

    Washington Wizards forward Kwame Brown could face at least a one-game NBA suspension if he is found guilty of driving under the influence.

  • Wizards Sign Hayes To $5.7 Million Deal

    Washington Post | Aug 21, 2003

    Small forward Jarvis Hayes, selected 10th overall in this summer's draft, signed a three-year, $5.

  • Wizards unlikely to re-sign Simmons

    Washington Post | Aug 21, 2003

    Free agent forward Bobby Simmons, who spent the past two seasons with the Wizards, is not expected to be re-signed, according to his agent, Mark Bartlestein.

  • Wizards Sign Jarvis Hayes

    Washington Post | Aug 20, 2003

    President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the Washington Wizards have signed first round draft choice Jarvis Hayes.

  • Wizards' Brown Arrested For DUI

    Washington Post | Aug 20, 2003

    Washington Wizards forward Kwame Brown was arrested last Friday in his home town of Brunswick, Ga.

  • The Next LeBron?

    Washington Post | Aug 20, 2003

    The search for the next can't-miss high school basketball player ended with another first-name phenom, Sebastian, well before LeBron James made his NBA summer league debut.

  • Wizards sign Blake, Hayes expected to sign in coming days

    Washington Post | Aug 19, 2003

    Former Maryland standout Steve Blake yesterday signed a two-year contract with the Washington Wizards, who selected him in the second round of this summer's draft, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed.

  • Success for U.S. Team No Longer a Slam Dunk

    Washington Post | Aug 17, 2003

    A decade after the United States displayed its dominance over the international basketball world with the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, a B-list of NBA players was roughed up by foreign talent at the 2002 World Basketball Championship.

  • Nets tab former Laker Drew

    New York Post | Aug 12, 2003

    The Nets completed their coaching staff yesterday naming Larry Drew, 45, as an assistant coach under Byron Scott.

  • Arenas Signing May Go a Long Way

    Washington Post | Aug 9, 2003

    Gilbert Arenas is a guy who's hungry to succeed, a guy who at times in his basketball career has been told he's not good enough.

  • Charge Against Wizard Dropped

    Washington Post | Aug 8, 2003

    A judge in Beaufort, N.

  • Arenas Joins the Wizards

    Washington Post | Aug 8, 2003

    Gilbert Arenas, who until late last night was still a Golden State Warrior, officially became a Washington Wizard this morning.

  • Arenas close to joining Wizards

    Washington Post | Aug 7, 2003

    Gilbert Arenas, who signed a six-year, $64 million offer sheet with the Washington Wizards in July, pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor weapons and vehicle charges Tuesday.

  • Arenas pleads not guilty to gun charge

    San Francisco Chronicle | Aug 6, 2003

    An attorney for soon-to-be-former Warriors point guard Gilbert Arenas appeared in San Mateo County Superior Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor weapons and vehicle charges on the player's behalf.

  • Bad contracts put Warriors in bind

    San Francisco Chronicle | Aug 6, 2003

    Last season Chris Mills and Danny Fortson combined to play less than 2.

  • Travel pays for Wizards' Thomas

    Baltimore Sun | Aug 3, 2003

    Of all the trips Etan Thomas has made to Boston, either when he was with Syracuse or with the Washington Wizards, the last one might have been the least necessary but the most important.

  • Higgins, Wizards Part Ways After Settlement

    Washington Post | Aug 2, 2003

    Rod Higgins, the only Michael Jordan hire remaining in the Washington Wizards' front office, parted with the franchise yesterday after reaching a settlement.