Why Etan Thomas is the Wizards’ Most Valuable Player
There was something missing from the Washington Wizards when Etan Thomas was out last season, and now that is back, they need his presence and leadership more than ever.
Where the swag of Gilbert Arenas, the patience of Antawn Jamison and the tenacity of Caron Butler can only carry the Wiz so far, the passion and peace of Etan Thomas will carry this club just a little bit further than people should expect.
He is poised to start at center for the Wizards’ season opener, and that will bring a heightened level of intensity and excitement to a lcub that really wasn’t lacking it to begin with. You think the young Wizards won’t be playing their hearts out for a guy whose career could have easily ended just a year ago?
How do you think the young post players, JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche, will respond to the senior post player on the squad pushing them around in practice, challenging them on every play, and telling them their games are sissy until they feel like fighting?
Most of all, the players now have a third wheel of maturity on the floor to accompany Jamison and Butler. Bad shots, turnovers and defensive lapses will have even more scrutiny from under the basket.
The weight of the season is on Gilbert’s knee, and the team’s identity is on Eddie Jordan’s shoulders. But the drive behind this team will be Etan Thomas, and as he goes, so will the Wiz kids.
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And he I was thinking that you were going to write….’because Andray Blatche is a straight up buster.’
Blatche better get it together this year, or the Wizards might be lottery bound. Etan or no Etan.