Expectations for AJ Dybantsa and the Wizards in preseason with Tony Massenburg

So why don't we start with our expectations for A.J. DeBonsa in the preseason? What do you expect? I got a couple

things.

I'm going to be really quick with this one.

First is I just want him to figure out his routine.

It might sound so simple, but take it from me.

You need to get your routine down your first year in the NBA.

What do I mean by that? When do you go to bed? When do you get up? Like, what is your pregame routine? Morning shoot around.

What are you trying to get done after morning shoot around? Are you a nap guy? Are you trying to get some treatment? Once you get to the arena, once you get off that bus, you're like, what are you doing to lead to success at seven o'clock or 730? I think that's one of the most invaluable things a rookie can do in his first year is just to figure out his routine.

The other thing, Chase, is I just want him to get into a defensive stance.

We know what he can do offensively, but I'm really curious to see how he attacks these four preseason games on the defensive end of the floor.

Yeah, I got some overlap there.

My two things are defensive intensity and a few box office plays.

Let's start with the defense.

GM Will Dawkins said right before the preseason began, the training camp began, that that's a point of emphasis for AJ.

Brian Keefe has said it.

AJ himself has said it.

I remember at the Combine, he called himself lazy on defense last year at BYU.

Now, I think he was being a little bit harsh.

I watched a lot of BYU games last year.

I know you did.

I didn't see a guy who was dogging it.

I think maybe toward the end of the season, fatigue probably set in, which happens, right? You're playing a ton of games.

And certainly that's a factor for a lot of NBA rookies in the second half of the year.

They've never played 82 games in a season before.

So that will be something to watch.