"You never know exactly what you'll find after you return from a break. In the sports news business, games have to be played and the season always rolls on, so there is always a little something different when you return.

With the Wizards, a lot has stayed the same since I've been gone. Here are the highlights from watching 30 minutes of scrimmaging at the end of practice today: (1) JaVale McGee received plenty of instruction from Wizards head coach Flip Saunders on setting screens after improper execution on consecutive plays; (2) Nick Young was also on the receiving end of a number of teaching points, yet still grinned his normal grin through couple of three-pointers and reverse-dunked fast break alley oop from John Wall; (3) Wall hit the deck five different times, mostly on drives to the bucket; (4) Kirk Hinrich played harder than anyone else on the floor; (5) when Saunders took time to instruct Wall and Young how to properly space themselves on the court, the proper pass ended with Andray Blatche free at the rim – and he missed his wide-open dunk; (6) and Blatche later rolled his left ankle on the break later after forcing a steal at the defensive end but said it was fine afterward.

The injury bug has also persisted, but Josh Howard (knee) was the only player to miss practice today. Yi Jianlian (knee) and Hinrich (left thigh contusion) both returned to practice.

Hinrich said his thigh was a lot better but he also revealed a new injury, of sorts. A recent doctor's exam had him in protective eyewear – not quite Amar'e Stoudemire, more like a triathlete's running glasses, especially with strap around the back of his head."