If it was difficult for Andray Blatche to play at Verizon Center when he was still a member of the Wizards, his return for the first time with the Brooklyn Nets could set a new standard for unwelcome visiting players.
"For him? It's definitely tough," Wizards forward Trevor Booker said. "I hope he gets out alive."
Booker anticipates more than just "a lot of boos" Friday when the Nets visit Washington.
"I heard they got extra security over on his bench just in case somebody, like, want to throw stuff," Booker said. "I don't know how true that is."
Things were so bad for Blatche in the District that he was booed during introductions before a game against Oklahoma City last January on every missed shot and nearly every time he touched the ball.
"He was out on the court, so we had to pass him the ball," Booker said. "It was no way around it. It was tough. It was definitely tough for us and him."
After Blatche was sidelined by a left calf strain, the Wizards kept him on the bench for conditioning reasons before using the amnesty clause to part ways. The eighth-year forward landed in Brooklyn, averaging 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds as center Brook Lopez's backup.
The problem is Blatche didn't exactly make peace with his former team, asking reporters how the Wizards were doing when they were 0-12 and the Nets were 8-4. He then took shots during a radio interview with 106.7 the Fan on Nov. 27.
"If I was playing, I would shut it down," Booker said. "But I'm not playing."
- Craig Stouffer
