Andray Blatche shut down for poor conditioning
Washington Wizards forward Andray Blatche has been shut down for the foreseeable future until his conditioning improves, according to a report from the Washington Post. The 6-11 big man has been ineffective in limited minutes since returning from a calf injury, and coach Randy Wittman made the decision after Sunday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Blatche played only five minutes, registering one rebound, a turnover and a foul.
“We thought we could maybe try to play him into shape once he got back,” Wittman said. “After looking at it, it’s unfair for me to put him in that position. and I think what we’re going to do, we’re going to probably not play him for a while, get him on a program here, where he can really go after it from a conditioning standpoint to get himself back into shape. It’s not fair for me to do that to the kid.”
Blatche is averaging 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in only 26 games this season, significantly down from his 2010-11 averages. The unpredictable big man has been the poster child of the Wizard’s problems in the clubhouse, and is a potential amnesty candidate due to his bad contract. Blatche signed a three-year, $28 million extension in 2010, but was unable to be moved by the Wizards at the trade deadline.
The problematic forward has also taken heat from the Wizard fans as of late. From a previous report by Michael Lee of the Washington Post:
Blatche now has to work out the rust of not playing for several weeks as his every move is the source of derision for the home fans. The jeers reached an all-time high on Monday against Golden State, as Blatche finished with four points and four rebounds, lost a battle for a rebound with 5-9 guard Nate Robinson and looked confused and short on confidence.
“Every time I touch the ball, I’m second-guessing. I’m trying to avoid the boos. Trying to play a perfect game so I don’t have to hear it so I can help my team win,” said Blatche, who is averaging just 9.5 points and shooting a career-low 37.3 percent this season. “It’s got to the point now where I come in and sub and the boos are coming. It’s not even a point of giving me a chance. I’m going to continue to try and work. Hopefully something will happen for me. I don’t know.”
The Wizards organization made a big move at the trade deadline, shipping center JaVale McGee to Denver for veteran Nene Hilario. Washington also moved swingman Nick Young in a possible attempt to cleanse the locker room of the problems that have surrounded the team over the past few years.
Washington forward Trevor Booker has played well in Blatche’s absence, and at only 24 could be a building block for the future to accompany guard John Wall.
Whatever ends up happening with Blatche, he will always be remembered for his all-out attempt at a triple-double, a symbol of the problems he has brought to the Washington franchise:
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