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After Friday's victory against the Miami Heat in the Wizards' second pre-season game, center Ian Mahinmi donned a blue jumpsuit large enough for his 6-foot-11 sneakers to be dressed in pink and orange sneakers. He met the media in the middle of the locker room at Capital One Arena with a personal question.
"I just put some cologne in. Is not it refreshing?"
Indeed, it was the same for Mahinmi on the field in two preliminary games, both as starters in place of Dwight Howard. Mahinmi explained throughout the training camp the benefits of being healthy last summer, explaining how it allowed him to focus on the details of his game.
Until now, it was easy to see what he meant.
"For the past two years, I would have to wait until the second half of the season to catch up with my pace, I felt as if this year had a healthy summer, I'm ready now," Mahinmi said.
The results are difficult to argue. Mahinmi had 11 points, four rebounds, two interceptions and two blocks against the Heat on Friday night. On Monday, in the Wizards' first pre-season game against the Knicks, Mahinmi had eight points, seven rebounds, one block and one steal.
Mahinmi, 31, has the expected impact of the Wizards by signing it in the summer of 2016 for a four-year contract worth $ 64 million. They wanted rim protection, not only blocks, but also for his fast hands and his agility in painting.
Through two games and a series of practices, Mahinmi's mobility is distinguished above all else.
"He's been doing his best since he's here," said head coach Scott Brooks.
"He fell on his weight, so he's a lot faster," said striker Markieff Morris.
"He has a lot of rebound in his approach, he looks like Ian in Indiana a few years ago," said goalkeeper Bradley Beal.
The Wizards have long hoped that the Indian version of Indiana would be present. In his final year with the Pacers before signing with Washington, Mahinmi started 71 games and counted for 25.6 minutes per night. He averaged 9.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 flights per game.
In two years with the Wizards, Mahinmi averaged only 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 0.7 flying in 15.7 minutes. In the 2016-17 season, he missed 51 games due to an injury.
If all goes well, the Wizards will not have to rely on Mahinmi as much as on the Pacers, as Howard should play an important role as a starter. But if they can get the old Mahinmi, or "Indiana Ian", this could be a vital ingredient in the defensive makeover sought after by wizards.
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