Maurice Evans calls a Washington Wizards players only meeting: NBA Update
Washington Wizards are having a nightmarish time so far this season, courtesy of some big mouthed egos in the team.
Only after their first game, unneeded rifts developed within the camp and that hurt the team big time in the next few games. After the last loss against Orlando, a frustrated John Wall lashed out at his teammates for being selfish on the offense, giving a clear indication that all is not well in the camp. The Wizards are the only team in the league this season, yet to win a game and if the situation remains the same, considering the shortened season, it will soon be curtains for Wizards.
Guard Maurice Evans, who has not featured in any game so far due to an injured knee, has been watching his team making fools of themselves from the bench and aware of the horrible consequences of the rifts within the team, he decided to take the matters into his own hands last night. Just before the team’s practice session, the nine year pro called an emergency players-only meeting.
In that meeting, issues relating to leadership and player roles were discussed. Pointing to Andray Blatche, who criticized the team’s coach for not allowing him enough playing time after the first game, Evans made a smart point saying that “playing time is earned, not given”.
"I almost got a sense of relief from the players that it was finally said. It was almost like something that was taboo or Pandora's box and no one's never really touching or addressing the issue. It was just enough dancing around the issues, enough of going through the motions. You could tell just in our actions that the guys are competing and they want to get better and they want to win ... but one thing goes wrong and we're so fragile at that point that we're not on the same page." He said after the meeting which lasted for 20 minutes.
The meeting may just be the catalyst that the Wizards require to start putting some wins under the belt, especially when they are set to start a three game home stretch from Friday. The Wizards will take on the New York Knicks in the first game and given the vulnerability and unpredictability of the Knicks, the Wizards have a shot at pulling off a huge surprise. They then host the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors, teams that the Wizards can match, at least on paper.
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