CLEVELAND — Ty Lawson said his hometown of Clinton, Md., is 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., but that’s the speedster Lawson talking — so it’s really probably an hour away.
Tonight, dozens of friends and family will make the trek from Clinton, because the homecoming king will hold court for the first time on the Wizards’ court.
“Everyone’s excited,” said the rookie’s mother, Jacki. “Everyone is gearing up to see Ty on the big floor, not the little floor like back in (high school) in Washington, D.C. The community is all going to come out and see Ty play.”
Ty Lawson said he expects about 40 friends and family to be in the stands for tonight’s Nuggets-Wizards game, including his parents, who will hold court themselves in a suite. It’s the only game Denver will play in Washington this year.
“It’s real exciting, getting my family a chance to come to the game, see me play and get the full experience,” the Nuggets guard said. “A lot of my family hasn’t been to an NBA game before.”
Lawson is having a “great year for us,” Nuggets coach George Karl said, “and for me, he’s an all-rookie first-team guy.”
The reserve point guard is averaging 9.5 points per game and 3.5 assists.
“His challenge is to finish off a very good rookie season, and it’s not as easy to do as some people think it is,” Karl said, “because in the second half, guys know you a little better. Rookies, sometimes, this is where they hit the wall. Opponents get to know you, have more of a feeling for tendencies. . . . I just hope he continues (his success) because he gives us something we don’t have — that little guy who can go anyplace on the court. He’s been fantastic.”
As for Lawson’s homecoming, Karl said: “Glad you reminded me about that. I’ll probably have to play him a little more.”
