October 28 2019: Minnesota 113 Washington 110

Muskie's Rickey Green: Game MVP

Washington went to Minnesota in search of its first win of the season but came away empty handed with a 113-110 loss.  Minnesota managed to rest some key players like Danny Ainge and Bill Walton and still won the contest.   The Muskie bench came out to play.  G Rickey Green was the game MVP with 23 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds.  Other key contributors included Charles Barkley ( 18 points and 11 rebounds ), Kiki Vandewigh ( 16 points ), John Paxson ( 17 points ), Robert Parish ( 9 rebounds, 8 points ) and Craig Hodges ( 13 points, 5 assists).

The game featured 20 lead changes with the Muskies surviving some failed  3 point attempts by the Wizards in the last minute of play.  

Derek Smith led the Wizards with 15 points and 6 rebounds.  Other standouts included Gus Williams ( 16 points, 9 assists, 3 steals ) , James Donaldson ( 12 points , 9 rebounds) and Sleepy Floyd ( 15 points, 6 rebounds ). 

Coach Russell noted some improvement given the Wizard bench outscored the Muskies 61-36.  Nevertheless, there are no moral victories in Bill Rusell's universe.

November 11, 2019: Sun Valley 119 Washington 102

James Worthy Nets 40 to Down Wizards 

The Washington Wizards started their inaugural campaign by visiting the Sun Valley Bobcats.  The Bobcats finished 65-17 in the prior season before being upset in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Sun Valley opened up a 37-25 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.  The Wizards only managed a 3 point lead in the game but Sun Valley led by as much as 26 points in the contest.   The Bobcats dominated the game inside the paint.  In addition to James Worthy exploding for 40 points and 7 rebounds, Julius Erving added 21 points while Alvin Adams posted 13 points and 7 rebounds.  Darnell Valentine did a good job at the point with 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 6 points. 

DJ Johnson led the Wizards with 21 points while Sleepy Floyd added 20 points. Mike McGee came off the bench and added 15 points while Alton Lister grabbed 12 rebounds while hitting 8 points. 

Coach Russell said the Wizards will have to go through a learning curve in their first season while he decides what pieces he will keep for long term development.

WASHINGTON HIRES BILL RUSSELL AS FIRST HEAD COACH

Bill Russell Named Wizards Head Coach 

Coach Russell  played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1956 to 1969. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a twelve-time All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won eleven NBA championships during his thirteen-year career. Coach Russell will bring the championship culture the Washington Wizards hope to bring to the VBA.

Owner Jim Doyle has a deep sense of gratitude for Coach Russell stepping out of retirement to help the Wizards in their quest for a VBA championship.  Russell has no illusions the Washington franchise has a long way to go but has a great sense of optimism and relishes a new challenge.