Kevin Seraphin comfortable with role, language

Seraphin was among the Wizards’ busiest players during the lockout. He played 16 games with Caja Laboral after signing a contract with the Euroleague club in September that included an NBA out clause if the labor dispute were to be settled.

Caja Laboral included other NBA players such as Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni and Fabricio Oberto. The coach was Dusko Ivanovic, regarded in Euroleague circles as a taskmaster who conducts rigorous practices and demands much from his players.

“With [Ivanovic], when you play, when you practice, he always wants you to run 200 percent,” Seraphin said. “He pushes you all the time, and on the court he hepled me with my game. He talked to me a lot. After every practice, he would just tell you, ‘When you go home, you just think about the practice tomorrow.’ ”

Seraphin said that drill-sargeant mentality has made him more aggressive around the basket. At 6 feet 9, that toughness will come in handy when matched up against bigger players in the post.

“I can read the game more,” Seraphin said when asked how his skills have improved from last season. “I can make [better] passes. I’ve just gotten confidence.”