There's far too much negative energy surrounding this team right now. Obviously, anytime you have a six-game losing streak, it's not going to be a positive situation. Making matters worse is the way we've lost these recent games in the fourth quarter, where we had a chance to win.
But enough negativity for now. Ivan Carter tells a story of Antawn Jamison teaching Andray Blatche a lesson in his latest blog.
Jamison to me: "What time is it?
Me to Jamison: "It's like 6:15"
Jamison, turning his attention to Blatche: "You were an all star this year or something?"
Blatche says nothing. Smiles, knowing where this is going.
Jamison: "You making 15 or 16 million or something like that?
Blatche: "No." More smiling.
Jamison: "Then why did you come over on the second bus? I ain't coming over on the second bus. Why you coming over on the second bus."
(Aside: The team can take two buses to the arena from the hotel. The first comes over early so guys can get in some early shooting, a lift, treatment, whatever. The second comes later.)
Jamison, continuing: "I've been in the league nine (darn) years and I've never come over on the second bus. OK, maybe in Dallas a couple of times because I wanted out of there. I'm never on the second bus. Why you on the second bus."
Blatche: nodding. smiling. saying nothing.
Translation: If you want it young fella, you better come get it. At least that's how I read the situation.
We've been hearing a lot about how Jamison is the real leader of the team, but this is the first time that we've really seen something. It would obviously be nice if Jamison led by example on the defensive end, but it's clear he's a professional, and a very successful one at that. It doesn't sound like Blatche was being a cancer (like Kwame Brown), but these are the type of things youngsters always lose track of. Kudos for Jamison for the lesson, and it sounds like Blatche listened humbly.
Speaking of Blatche, I have to quote this section from DC Optimist, one of my new favorite blogs (thanks to Mac G for the tip).
While many fans have become faithful of all five of their starting lineup players, Blatche's increasing contributions ought to pierce that fine brilliant set of individuals and catapult him into the limelight. I liken the situation to Willis Reed coming off the bench for the Knicks back in the day, except this time, the fate of an entire country rests on the big man's sharply angled shoulders.
Andray Blatche equals Willis Reed. And I thought I had heard it all. In a city widely known as the center of the sports blogging world, this might be the next up and coming site.