Washington DC

The Washington Wizards want more from their 2011 draft pick, 6-11 forward Jan Vesely from the Czech Republic.

He is active defensively and on the glass and runs the floor well, but the Wizards, who are struggling with a league-worst record, needs more production from a No. 6 pick.

A third of the way into his second season, Vesely has shown little sign of improvement, falling in and out of Wizards coach Randy Wittman's rotation because of inconsistency.

Wittman has gone games without using Vesely, who is averaging 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and shooting 41.5% from the field and shooting 23.8% on free throws in 13.1 minutes per game in 22 appearances through last week.

He has not scored in double figures this season, and has played in eight games where he did not score a point.

His shot, for one thing, needs considerable work.

In Washington's 103-94 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, still trying to get in game shape and rediscover his offense after October knee surgery, torched Vesely, connecting on four of five shots.

Wittman told reporters pregame that they needed to ask Vesely if he was playing with confidence. "There are times he doesn't, and it does hurt his aggression when he's on the floor. That's why there's fluctuation and inconsistency mixed in with that. He's got to be a factor on the floor."

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