The last few Washington Wizards press conferences have taken place in the Acela Club of the Verizon Center, which is typically used for private parties. There are usually balloons, an impressive spread of food and beverages, and the players, coaches and front office personnel who show up are treated like royalty.

For the formal introduction of Fabricio Oberto (who officially signed with the team on August 12th), the festivities were scaled back considerably. There were no balloons, there was less food, and there were fewer members of the media than usual. But given what Team President Ernie Grunfeld and head coach Flip Saunders expect to see out of Oberto this season, the atmosphere was somehow very fitting.

“We felt like we still needed one piece to our puzzle, and that was to get a veteran big man,” Grunfeld said during his opening statement. “Someone with a lot of playoff experience, someone who’s willing to sacrifice his own game for the benefit of the team and someone who can give us some added depth at the center position, and the power forward position.”

Saunders also chimed in with why he felt the addition of Oberto was so important.

“We knew we were going to bring in another big guy, and Fab was at the the top of that list,” the casually-dressed Saunders said with his arm folded. “He’s a player that has a very high basketball IQ, and the things we like to do both offensively and defensively– he’ll be able to help us. He’s got good ball skills being able to pass the ball. There’s no question he’s been in big games, not only when he played with San Antonio, but also for the Argentina National team, big games as far as winning the gold in the [2004] Olympics. And we just thought it would be a good compliment.”

In four seasons with the Spurs, Oberto averaged only 3.6 points and 3.9 rebounds, and at first glance, it does not seem like his contributions were all that significant. But during the Spurs championship run in 2007, Oberto played strong post defense, grabbed rebounds, and he very much bought into Coach Gregg Popovich’s team concept.

Oberto plans to bring that same identity to the Wizards.

“I just like to be a part of the team and my role is like..none of my [Argentina] National teams had a specific [role], ” Oberto said. “I like to see what is missing from the team and help that part. If I got to play D, and not take a shot for 10 games, I’ll do it.”

Oberto also made it a point to mention how the veterans on the Spurs taught him, via their actions, how to conduct himself on the court, and how he plans on using that same lead-by-example tactic in Washington.

“When you’re young, you need to keep learning, and I was lucky with those players [in San Antonio] on those teams, [I had] veterans, ” Oberto reminisced. “I had a chance to keep an eye on what they were doing, how they work, how they practice, and that’s the way I like to do things. I like to come in early, I like to work and be ready”

The biggest concern about Oberto prior to him signing with the Wizards was the health of his heart. He had surgery in June to correct an irregular heartbeat, but around the league there still seemed to be questions as to whether it would affect him, especially since his style is predicated upon being physical. Grunfeld said that Oberto passed the physical without a hitch, and Oberto chimed in by saying his heart was fine.

The signing of Oberto leaves the Washington Wizards with 14 players on their roster, and as Coach Saunders observed, the team has a unique quality that he’s yet to experience as a coach.

“I think its the most unique, most diverse roster in that there so many weapons in a lot of different areas. And this team has always been able to score the last six years, and we’ve added more pieces to be able to score, so I think we’re going to score points. But we’re going to be a much improved team defensively. Everyone always asks me, I say the best thing is to start asking other coaches what they’re going to do to guard us, because I think it’s going to be a problem”.

If that statement by Saunders didn’t emphasize the raised expectations of this year’s Wizards team, then Grunfeld’s words later on in the press conference certainly brought the point home.

“We feel we’re a very versatile team. We have two and three players at least at every position, we have a good blend of veteran players, young enthusiastic players who are in their prime and an carry us on a daily basis, ” Grunfeld said in the most animated voice he owns. “We have a lot of scoring on this ball club, we have guys who are willing to sacrifice, and we have three All-Stars coming back on the team. It’s gonna have to all blend together. Of course adding Flip is also a huge addition for us, so we’re very excited about this upcoming season since [I've] been here for sure.”

Saunders ended the press conference by saying he recently went to visit Chicago, where Gilbert Arenas has been working out. Saunders says that Arenas’ weight is down, his quickness and confidence are back, and he has something to prove.

The healthy Arenas, the newly signed Oberto, and the rest of the Washington Wizards roster will start making their push towards opening day when training camp begins in October on the campus of Virginia Commenwealth University. Their initial preseason game is October 6th against the Memphis Grizzlies.