Just seconds prior to tip off between the Nets and the Wizards, I got my first good look at the NBA’s newest venue. On first glance, the herringbone floor of Brooklyn’s billion-dollar Barclays Center appeared to feature a pattern too busy for my liking. The theater-style lighting (imagine a Lakers game) definitely appealed to me, though… and other than that I suppose it looked like any other arena. Not long after Emeka Okafor had christened the scoreboard with the building’s first field goal, I reconsidered my position on the herringbone floor. I think it had already begun to grow on me, but I’m not really sure. That’s because my focus was permanently deterred from all things architecture about 11 minutes into the experience.
With approximately 60 seconds to play in the first quarter, Andray Blatche was summoned off the bench to spell Brook Lopez. Three possessions later, he stole the ball from Earl Barron, sprinted the length of the floor, and finished a Brooklyn break with an energetic dunk. Along with the ball, Blatche must’ve stuffed all of his frustration, anxiety, and regret right through that Barclays Center basket… because from that point forward he looked nothing like the knucklehead of a basketball player to whom the Wizards had given 23 million dollars simply to go away.
The moment Blatche scored that first basket, I considered the ease with which a 6’11” man can slam dunk a basketball. At first, the timely bucket seemed a mere convenience… a foundation of confidence on which Andray would aim to build his game, if you will. Not until later—like after he had already scored his 16 points and grabbed his 8 rebounds—did it hit me: Andray Blatche had stolen the ball and sprinted the length of the floor. Those familiar with the work habits of Mr. Blatche understand why all this should have resonated with me at a much earlier point in time… but I suppose I’ve simply become accustomed to making assumptions regarding the personification of last year’s lockout. Andray Blatche got a dunk because he happened to be in the right place at the right time, I figured, even though I’d just seen something totally different than that. Amazing how that works.
Before I delve any deeper into the game that Andray Blatche had, allow me to make one thing clear: I’m not at all suggesting that one isolated display of hustle renders Andray Blatche a changed basketball player, let alone a changed man. As far as I know, this is still the dude that tries to verbally negotiate rebounds in the winter and host Lapdance Tuesdays in the summer. All I’m saying is that Blatche had a really strong game against his former team. Being that it’s still the middle of October, this is what there is to talk about.
Getting back to the near double-double at hand, Blatche would go on to miss a pair of free throws (would’ve tied him for game-high scoring honors) prior to seeking out another easy opportunity at the rim. His second dunk was more a product of Joe Johnson’s penetration than anything else, but it was still thrown down with a certain degree of vigor. Moments later, he put a fluid step-back crossover on display, but missed the ensuing jump shot over the outstretched arm of Shavlik Randolph. Tantalizing, yet futile; the career of Andray Blatche in a nutshell.
It was during the fourth and final quarter that Blatche really started to impress. Having given the Nets a five-point lead with a difficult reverse layup to conclude the third, Andray began to put in work around the rim. He secured an offensive board and stuck the ball in the hoop, then connected on a short jump shot in the post. As his Nets proceeded to secure a 98-88 victory, the historically-questionable decision maker never tried to force the action, yet his involvement was steady. One couldn’t help but notice how frequently the commentators said “Blatche,” and his name was coming up for all the right reasons. He reigned his game in, worked with his teammates, and occupied open lanes to the rim. Ultimately, he was able to produce 10 of his 16 points without breaking the boundaries of his simplified role. Considering everything that we’ve come to know about Andray Blatche, I’m not sure how this game could possibly have gone any better.
So, for what it’s worth, Andray Blatche played 23 minutes and 24 seconds of outstanding preseason basketball against the team that paid him a sizable fortune to take his talents elsewhere. Again, this hardly makes him a changed man (case in point: he’s still taking advice from Gilbert Arenas), but it’s a small step in the right direction.
In regards to my opinion of the Barclays Center floor, I’ll get back to you on the 18th.