A busy summer has passed over Washington but tonight (Wednesday through Thursday), in the first game of the season in the NBA, the team from the capital and our ambassador - Danny Abdia, opened on the right foot with a great away win over the Toronto Raptors.
After Russell Westbrook left for the Los Angeles Lakers to try and pick up a bachelor’s degree, with a new coach and fresh assistant team around Bradley Bill, the Wizards have conceded the fewest points in the game, since 2017.
Bill scored 23 points tonight receiving wonderful assistance from Montreux Harle, if he had 22 in his Wizards debut en route to 83-98.
Kyle Kozma, who came with Earl in a trade that sent Westbrook to City of Angels, added 11 points and 15 rebounds, while Spencer Dinwiddie, who joined the Hunts, contributed 13 to the visitors who led 29 points during the game to give coach Wes Ansald Jr. a win in his first game.
Wes Ansald Jr. to the players in the locker room: "A good start and it started with defense. If we get numbers like that every night we will be really good."
And then ... a cool surprise from the players! Pic.twitter.com/bgxNAhjcmT
- Washington Wizards 🇮🇱 (@washwizardsil) October 21, 2021
The Washington players celebrated after the game in the locker room and splashed water on their coach.
"I think we wet all the clothes he had when he came back to the locker room," said coordinator Daniel Gaford.
"I just love the way we played," said Ansald Jr..
"We started strong, we talked about having momentum. We knew at first that they were going to play with strong energy and be very physical. We persevered and scored a good percentage right from the start."
Before the game, rapper Cardinal Official appeared on the floor, prompting Harle to make an encouragement call to his teammates to keep them stuffed.
"Monterz made sure we're in the right zone, ready to go out and play basketball, that was a very important message," Bill said after the game.
Washington scored just 5 of 27 from the 3rd range, but Toronto was no better, missing 19 of 21 off-arc attempts in the first half and finishing at the end with 7 of 34.
First DUUUUB of the season! #DCAboveAll |
@ RealDealBeal23 pic.twitter.com/26BKtnFHcZ
- Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 21, 2021
And what about her loss?
The Israeli's second season opened with a contribution of 8 points and 7 rebounds.
Abdia played 21 minutes and showed good ability especially on the defensive side, when on offense he finishes with 100 percent from the field (3 of 3).
Even before the game, he was interviewed by NBC, the general manager of the Wizards - Tommy Shepherd, and talked about Abdia's first season with the team and showed great optimism about his future.
"Pretty shit to be a rookie. The injury was disappointing too, there were some more difficulties at the beginning of the summer and now we are very careful with him. We are very confident in what he can give us, and understand that the disgusting stage is behind him."
Shepherd added: "He always listens, he wants to be a great player, he came from one of the most decorated teams in world basketball. I do not think we understand how difficult it is for an international player to get to the NBA and integrate quickly."
Danny Abdia tonight against Toronto:
8 points (3/3 from the field), 7 rebounds in 21 minutes pic.twitter.com/9wyDcWj9KS
- Washington Wizards 🇮🇱 (@washwizardsil) October 21, 2021