Washington —
WASHINGTON — Kirk Hinrich still remembers his surprise and dismay being traded to the Washington Wizards.
That was more than a month ago. Now he gets to help John Wall adjust to the NBA.
“Whenever you get the No. 1 pick and a guy as talented as John, you have the young cast around him, its a sense of rebuilding,” Hinrich said Monday. “But I feel like we have the talent and if we play the right way and consistently play hard every night, I feel like we can surprise a lot of people.”
Hinrich originally said he was a bit surprised when the Chicago Bulls dealt him in June to free up cap space for a free-agent class that included LeBron James.
While admitting that he has “maybe a little bit” of a chip on his shoulder following the deal, Hinrich emphasized his enthusiasm over the new start.
“I’m very appreciative of my time in Chicago, they gave me an opportunity to first of all become a pro player and then grow as one.” Hinrich said. “I was in Chicago for so long and I appreciate my opportunity, but I’m excited to go to a new organization. It’s like almost coming into the league again. I’m very motivated and excited to play great basketball.”
Hinrich , who averaged 13.4 points and 5.8 assists for the Bulls since being drafted seventh overall in 2003, from a playoff team to one that won 26 games.
“The direction we are trying to go — obviously we are building — but when you build you also need some veterans, some leaders, players that have been through the wars before,” Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld said. “Kirk is definitely one of those players. He’s been a winner his whole career in college and in the pros. ... We expect him to provide a lot of leadership on our team.”
In Chicago, Hinrich played alongside and mentored Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, who, like Wall, was the first player selected when he entered the league in 2008.
“I really feel like I got too much credit. He was very good.” Hinrich said. “I think most of it was by example. That’s the way I lead. I became more vocal as I get to know my teammates better and I’ve gotten older. I’m just excited to have a chance to play with John. He’s a very athletic and talented young kid and I’m just excited to play with him.”
The Wizards currently have eight players on the roster 25 years old or younger, including four rookies.
Gilbert Arenas, who was suspended for 50 games last season for bringing guns to the locker room, will also return.
Basketball
Related Photos
-
Kirk Hinrich, the newly acquired basketball player for the Washington Wizards, speaks during a press availability at the Verizon Center in Washington, Monday, July 26, 2010. AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Hinrich joins Wizards, Wall in rebuilding
- Basketball
-
-
Philadelphia forces Game 7
Jrue Holiday scored 20 points, and Elton Brand had 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the tough-and-determined Philadelphia 76ers past the Celtics, 82-75 on Wednesday night to send the Eastern Conference semifinals back to Boston for Game 7.
-
NBA suspends Haslem for one game, Pittman for three
Udonis Haslem insists he meant no harm. The NBA deemed otherwise, and the Miami Heat will be without one of their co-captains when they try to close out the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.
-
Boston takes series lead behind Bass’ 27-point outburst
Brandon Bass scored 18 of his postseason career-high 27 points in the third quarter on Monday night as the Boston Celtics pulled away from the Philadelphia 76ers to win 101-85 and take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
-
76ers rally, knot series
Andre Iguodala snapped a tie game with five straight points in the final 90 seconds to help the Philadelphia 76ers storm back from 15 points down and stun the Boston Celtics 92-83 on Friday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
-
Celtics top 76ers 107-91 in Game 3
Kevin Garnett scored 27 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and used a dominant second quarter to help the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 107-91 on Wednesday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
-
76ers even series with Celtics, 82-81
Evan Turner made the go-ahead layup with 40.4 seconds left and Philadelphia held off Boston the rest of the way with six straight free throws as the 76ers evened the second-round Eastern Conference series with an 82-81 victory Monday night.
-
James wins 3rd NBA MVP award
Heat forward LeBron James is the NBA’s MVP for a third time, putting him alongside some of the game’s all-time greats.
-
Knicks’ postseason slide hits 12
Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, Chris Bosh added 21 and Miami beat New York 104-94 on Monday night, sending the Knicks to an NBA-record-tying 12th straight postseason loss.
-
Ritchie voted player of year
D.J. Ritchie, who did just about everything the last three seasons for Southern Garrett and capped his high school career with likely his finest performance, was voted the Cumberland Times-News Boys Basketball Player of the Year by area head coaches.
-
Wizards streak into offseason
Playing without their Big Three, the Miami Heat suffered their worst defeat of the season with a 104-70 loss to the Washington Wizards in the regular-season finale Thursday night.
- More Basketball Headlines
-
