"It's a difficult thing in the NBA. You're always looking for ways to improve. But I think we have plenty of players on the team. Now it's up to them to perform up to their abilities. You obviously evaluate as you go along and you'd really like to evaluate with a full deck for an extended period of time. And we really haven't had that full deck."

Still, Washington's overall defense was sufficiently effective for them to have won the game. But what they require more than anything else is a point-producing low-post player, who will compel opponents to double-team him and therefore generate layups for dive-cutters as well as pressure-free jumpers for the likes of Arenas, Jamison, and Butler.

LeBron James Encourages NBA To Stop Jumping In Honor Of Michael Jordan

AP: Shaq to Miss Tuesday's Golden State Game

If you trust and believe in it, then the game will be easy," Hamilton said of the offense. "But all five guys have to be on the same page. If all five guys ain't on the same page, it's not going to work. All five guys got to know, and say, 'Okay, I believe in it. I'm going to get a shot, and if I don't get a shot, my teammate is going to get a shot.' "

Gilbert's businesslike approach is understandable since he's trying to shake his rep as an injury-prone goofball. But the Wiz are starting to take on his new personality -- joyless.

Michael Lee: Wizards Get Hypnotized

...if I had to list the top eight teams in the East, I'd have to go (in order) with Cleveland, Orlando, Boston, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia and Miami.

Rubio Not Playing In NBA Until 2011