WASHINGTON — Forward Andray Blatche said everybody needs to “shut up” about his criticisms over the play-calling in the Wizards’ season-opening loss.
Blatche took to Twitter on Tuesday to say he wasn’t calling out coach Flip Saunders after Monday night’s 90-84 defeat to the New Jersey Nets. Blatche says he had a bad game because he needs the ball in the post more, instead of out on the wing.
After Washington blew a 21-point lead, Blatche said he wasn’t being used to the best of his abilities. He scored 11 points on 5-for-13 shooting and was called for a technical for exchanging words with Kris Humphries.
“You can’t keep having me pick-and-pop and shooting jump shots,” he said. “Give me the ball in the paint. That’s where I’m most effective at. I’ve been saying that since training camp: I need the ball in the paint. I don’t want to be the pick-and-pop guy that I used to be.”
Blatche’s comments were especially notable because he introduced himself to the crowd before the game as a team captain.
Saunders said Tuesday that Blatche isn’t a captain for the season. The coach says he plans to rotate captains for the time being.
Saunders also said he was disappointed in Blatche’s remarks and met with him Tuesday morning.
“We talked about what he said about as far as wanting to be in the post,” Saunders said. “And I told him, that’s something to my ears. I love hearing that. … But then he also has to understand that just because you get it at 17 feet, you don’t have to shoot it either. I’m not twisting his arm to do that.”
Augustin to play vs. Heat •CHARLOTTE, n.c. — Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin said he expects to play tonight against the Heat.
Augustin sprained his ankle in the final minute of Monday night’s 96-95 win over the Bucks. X-rays were negative. Although Augustin didn’t practice Tuesday, coach Paul Silas said, “He’s hurting, but he thinks he might be able to make it (tonight).”
Augustin scored a team-high 19 points as the Bobcats came back from a 14-point second- half deficit.
Footnotes. The NBA suspended Bucks forward Drew Gooden for Milwaukee’s home opener Tuesday night against the Timberwolves because of his flagrant foul in the season opener.
B The Knicks claimed guard Jeremy Lin off waivers. New York is short-handed in the backcourt with Iman Shumpert (knee) and Baron Davis (bulging back disc) out.
