duncan228
05-13-2009, 01:03 PM
Road warrior Darius Washington shooting for spot with Griz (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/13/the-road-warrior-comes-home/)
By Ronald Tillery, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Of all the participants in an NBA free-agent camp designed to find diamonds in the rough, he is the only player with an official Web site that's impressive mainly because of its polish.
Darius Washington still aims to improve the content so that he can better complement those bells and whistles.
His winding professional basketball career took another turn this week, landing Washington back in Memphis to compete for the Grizzlies' affection. The former University of Memphis point guard has three things working for him.
He's worked closely with Griz coach Lionel Hollins in a different situation.
The 6-2 combo guard is still young enough and considered NBA ready.
Plus, Washington remains confident despite never earning a guaranteed NBA contract since trying to make it as an undrafted player since 2006.
"I think," Washington said, "I can fit in here."
Washington has thought that more than a few times in NBA stops sandwiched between European tours.
Last fall, he spent time in the Chicago Bulls' training camp before being cut. He tried out for the Milwaukee Bucks, who employed Hollins as an assistant coach, last summer during the Las Vegas Summer league.
Washington now is trying to mimic with the Grizzlies his experience with the San Antonio Spurs.
"I found my niche with the Spurs for a minute," said Washington, who played in 18 games with the Spurs while bouncing between San Antonio and the Spurs' NBA Developmental League affiliate in Austin during the 2007-08 season.
If Washington is to remain on an NBA roster for the entire 2009-10 campaign he must prove he can consistently deliver what NBA executives have craved for three years.
"Darius can score the basketball," Griz general manager Chris Wallace said. "He just has to continue to show NBA people that he can run a team and do it efficiently as well as score."
Hollins sounds as if he's interested to see how much Washington has matured at point guard, where his decision-making has often been called into question.
"He's got NBA experience and talent. I just want to see if he can fit in," Hollins said. "We're looking for a backup to Mike Conley. If we can find someone we thought could do the job in free agency that would open up a spot for us to do something else in the draft. I will say this ... young guys really have to adapt to the system they're playing in."
Washington last played in Russia. He's also spent time in Greece. However, Washington points toward San Antonio and playing behind Tony Parker as his most enriching experience. Following a disappointing stint with the Dallas Mavericks, Washington was the feel-good story of the Spurs' 2007 training camp.
He earned a spot on the 15-man roster as an undrafted free agent until his release on Dec. 28, 2007.
"Darius has a lot of ability and has a great feel for the game," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said at the time. "As far as his leadership and decision making, that's going to be up to him. I can't answer that."
In addition to offering a "European and NBA game mixed together" Washington believes the Grizzlies' youth movement presents a win-win situation for both sides.
"I know what Memphis fans want," Washington said. "They want players with heart. Not that (the Grizzlies) don't have it. (Memphians) just want people that's going to fight for the city. I played for the Tigers and fought for the city. I can do it again on the professional level."
Another day, another chapter in the hoops life and times of Washington.
"You just have to see where you fit in," Washington said, "and give the team what it needs."
By Ronald Tillery, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Of all the participants in an NBA free-agent camp designed to find diamonds in the rough, he is the only player with an official Web site that's impressive mainly because of its polish.
Darius Washington still aims to improve the content so that he can better complement those bells and whistles.
His winding professional basketball career took another turn this week, landing Washington back in Memphis to compete for the Grizzlies' affection. The former University of Memphis point guard has three things working for him.
He's worked closely with Griz coach Lionel Hollins in a different situation.
The 6-2 combo guard is still young enough and considered NBA ready.
Plus, Washington remains confident despite never earning a guaranteed NBA contract since trying to make it as an undrafted player since 2006.
"I think," Washington said, "I can fit in here."
Washington has thought that more than a few times in NBA stops sandwiched between European tours.
Last fall, he spent time in the Chicago Bulls' training camp before being cut. He tried out for the Milwaukee Bucks, who employed Hollins as an assistant coach, last summer during the Las Vegas Summer league.
Washington now is trying to mimic with the Grizzlies his experience with the San Antonio Spurs.
"I found my niche with the Spurs for a minute," said Washington, who played in 18 games with the Spurs while bouncing between San Antonio and the Spurs' NBA Developmental League affiliate in Austin during the 2007-08 season.
If Washington is to remain on an NBA roster for the entire 2009-10 campaign he must prove he can consistently deliver what NBA executives have craved for three years.
"Darius can score the basketball," Griz general manager Chris Wallace said. "He just has to continue to show NBA people that he can run a team and do it efficiently as well as score."
Hollins sounds as if he's interested to see how much Washington has matured at point guard, where his decision-making has often been called into question.
"He's got NBA experience and talent. I just want to see if he can fit in," Hollins said. "We're looking for a backup to Mike Conley. If we can find someone we thought could do the job in free agency that would open up a spot for us to do something else in the draft. I will say this ... young guys really have to adapt to the system they're playing in."
Washington last played in Russia. He's also spent time in Greece. However, Washington points toward San Antonio and playing behind Tony Parker as his most enriching experience. Following a disappointing stint with the Dallas Mavericks, Washington was the feel-good story of the Spurs' 2007 training camp.
He earned a spot on the 15-man roster as an undrafted free agent until his release on Dec. 28, 2007.
"Darius has a lot of ability and has a great feel for the game," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said at the time. "As far as his leadership and decision making, that's going to be up to him. I can't answer that."
In addition to offering a "European and NBA game mixed together" Washington believes the Grizzlies' youth movement presents a win-win situation for both sides.
"I know what Memphis fans want," Washington said. "They want players with heart. Not that (the Grizzlies) don't have it. (Memphians) just want people that's going to fight for the city. I played for the Tigers and fought for the city. I can do it again on the professional level."
Another day, another chapter in the hoops life and times of Washington.
"You just have to see where you fit in," Washington said, "and give the team what it needs."