Saunders wants commitment from all

Via ESPN

WASHINGTON — With various players missing for various reasons, including some who had to talk to authorities about the Gilbert Arenas gun investigation, only eight members of the Washington Wizards were warming up on court Tuesday as coach Flip Saunders spoke nearby.

“Right now, there is definitely going to be discipline,” Saunders intoned, “whether they like it or not.”

Clearly, Saunders has his hands full at the moment. He is in his first year with a team dealing with far more serious matters than its 12-23 record heading into Tuesday night’s home game against the Detroit Pistons.

“He said, ‘Well, I didn’t get a shot in a game.’ If you’re 6-10, 6-11, you can get a shot by getting an offensive rebound and getting shots. Anybody, whether it’s him or anybody, that thinks a coach has to run plays to get you shots — that’s the sign of a team that’s not going to be a very good team,” Saunders said.

“I hope it impacts him. I hope he comes back energized. I hope he comes back with a focus. I hope he understands what it takes to win,” Saunders added.

The coach singled out co-captains Antawn Jamison and Butler, along with Miller as players who are “totally committed” to doing what it takes to win, despite all that is going on around the team.

Saunders also made clear he wouldn’t hesitate to find ways to get players to adapt to how he wants them to play.

“This is how things are going to be, and if guys aren’t going to act that way — if we have to play with five guys, we’ll play with five guys,” Saunders said. “We have to have a mind-set change.”