According to Trenton Hassell, playing against the Wizards is ?just another game? and Michael Jordan is just ?another player?.

K.C. Johnson suggests that this statement made by Hassell will fire-up Jordan. "The problem with Michael is as soon as you think he can't do something, then he does it," Cartwright said. "We just want to guard against being overanxious. We know Michael is a great player. We just don't want him to not only hurt us but [also] make other people better."

Cartwright was asked what strategy to use against Jordan: various zones or gimmick defenses. "Fortunately, most of our guys had a chance to play against him this summer," Cartwright said of the scrimmages at Hoops the Gym that helped Jordan prepare for his comeback. "I think they feel comfortable guarding him. We just don't want them overanxious and trying to do something they can't do."