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Tuesday, January 2, 2001
Strickland blames absence on 'a little frustration'



Rod Strickland
Strickland

WASHINGTON -- Rod Strickland returned to the Washington Wizards before Sunday night's game against Detroit, ending a disappearing act that started before last week's road trip to Miami.

He did not play in the game against the Pistons, though.

Wizards general manager Wes Unseld told the Washington Post on Monday he did not know when Strickland would be available to play.

Coach Leonard Hamilton said he expects to receive a medical update on Strickland's condition on Tuesday.

"I don't know the extent of the injury or how long he will be out," Hamilton told the Washington Post.

Strickland missed two practices last week. He was fined for oversleeping and missing practice on Tuesday, then grumbled that management was picking on him after he didn't start and played only 18 minutes the next night against New York.

On Thursday, Strickland missed practice, a doctor's appointment and the team's flight to Miami without contacting anyone in the organization. He was fined and suspended for Friday's game against the Heat by president of basketball operations Michael Jordan.

"It was a little frustration, man, that's all," Strickland said in the locker room before Sunday night's game. "I ain't trying to battle anybody. Just frustration."

Strickland and Hamilton met briefly before the Pistons game. Hamilton then said he planned to have Strickland play. Instead, Strickland did not suit up and sat one row behind the bench, next to injured center Jahidi White.

"Rod -- before the game, I think -- notified the trainer that his hamstrings were sore, and that he didn't think he would be able to play," Hamilton said.

Strickland has been complaining about hamstring problems most of the season, but he did not miss a game until his suspension.

After the game, Strickland was vague when asked about a timetable for his return.

"I don't know," Strickland said. "Until it gets better."

Chris Whitney started at point guard for the third consecutive game. He led the team to a 110-96 victory, breaking a six-game losing streak.

"When you have a situation like this, it's uncomfortable for everybody," Hamilton said. "The way I like to handle it is put it behind me and move on."
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Wizards snap six-game skid with win over Pistons




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