Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan

On the team:

“We have everybody healthy, except for Darius (Songaila), so it was a good practice. We had a practice that simulated game conditions with four, 12-minute quarters.  It was something they welcomed after eight days off.  Since we used game conditions, it was a really good practice.”

On the starting lineup:

“Etan Thomas is starting at center, Gilbert and DeShawn are the guards, and Antawn and Caron will start at the forward spots.”

On his decision to start Etan Thomas at center:

“What we saw as the preseason concluded -- and after all of our evaluations – was that Etan showed a little bit more force and a little bit more aggressiveness.  We are looking to protect the rim and the paint.  Brendan is a pro.  I told him I want him to continue to compete, and he will.  It is always going to be competitive, as is every spot.  It was a process; it wasn’t just making a quick decision.  I trust my staff and I trust the decision.”

On opening the season in Cleveland:

“You are always excited about every game, but the season opener is an event and it’s a national TV audience.  I think we have a veteran team so I feel comfortable.  I feel excited and comfortable.”

On preparing for the season:

“We won’t be totally ready until we are finished with our practice tomorrow and our shoot-around on Wednesday -- then we will be ready.  We have a veteran group and it’s a great position for a coach to be in.  They know we have to get better and they know what we have to do to get better.  We know that Wednesday’s game won’t make or break our season.  We want to be even keel -- but there is still a lot of excitement.”

Wizards Center Etan Thomas

On competing for a starting spot:

“I’m looking at it as a blessing.  I called Coach Jordan over the summer and asked him if I would be able to have the opportunity to compete for a starting position.  I wanted to have a bigger role and I asked him specifically things that I needed to work on so I could come back and have the opportunity to compete for a starting spot.”

On his summer program:

“I was able to do a lot more; I wasn’t just rehabbing over the summer.  I was actually able to workout.  I was able to run, play, lift, do sprints and rehab along with it – so it was a different summer program than it was last year.”

On how he feels:

“I feel good.  I am ready to contribute the best that I can.  Coach told me we are going to have four scorers on the floor at the same time, so I have to really concentrate on rebounding, blocking shots, and helping our defense – and scoring when I get a chance when the opportunities come.”