Washington Wizards Preview

Hello Again, 

Based off the positive response of the Bobcats preview, I have decided to reward my readers with another preview. I probably won't end up doing one a day, but we will see. Also, if you would like to be notified of these notes, like it, and you will be added to the list. I initially just put down people who I have had conversations about basketball with. On to the Wizards

WASHINGTON WIZARDS:

If they are still the second worst team after this year, they have some serious issues. 

Key Additions: Trevor Ariza (trade), Bradley Beal (Rookie), Emeka Okafor (trade), Martell "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiCmmA97Jrc" Webster (FA)

Key Losses: Rashard "Second highest paid player" Lewis, Maurice Evans, Andray Blatche

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: John Wall

SG: Beal

SF: Ariza

PF: Nene

C: Okafor

Role Players: Webster, Jordan Crawford, Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker, Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton

Comments: Lets start with the coach. I honestly don't understand why Randy Wittman is still allowed to coach in the NBA. His record over 6 seasons is abysmal (118-238). He took over in the middle of last year after Flip Saunders proved why he shouldnt be allowed to coach either. Wittman, however, won't have to deal with the immaturity of this team that Javale Mcgee, Blatche, Nick Young, and honestly Wall, provided. This brings me to Wall. 

Whenever I read about the Wizards, they all say that John Wall needs to play with winners, and that the selfishness of his teammates was holding him back from being the talent that he was expected to be as the #1 pick a few years back. The problem I have with this theory is that a true star in the NBA has the ability to carry their team despite of his teammates. Take Chris Paul, he played with knuckleheads such as Tyson Chandler, Desmond Mason, and Rasual Butler, but he still lead his team to a massive improvement and won rookie of the year. If Wall was as good as hyped up to be, he would lead by example, and show the necessary maturity. His assist/turnover ratio is too big (2:1), and a 23% 3-point percentage needs to improve. Anyways, Wall is clearly a talented distributor, but with "mature" teammates and quality offensive players such as Nene, Beal, and Crawford, he must take his game to the next level and make the move up toward the elite point guard level. 

SG: I did not watch much of Beal at Florida, but what I saw leading up to the draft, and summer league, is someone that can score the basketball in a lot of ways. He is a little short for a SG (6'3), but will have the quickness to become someone like a Ray Allen or James Harden. He will most likely be the guy they turn to for those times when someone needs to create their own shot. Crawford is another great scorer, and as a hybrid PG/SG, he will get plenty of playing time at both to showcase his offensive talents. Crawford can't play defense, and Beal has yet to prove that as well, so similar to the Bobcats, they will be tormented by the great guards of the east (wade, johnson, ellis, jr. smith, etc..). 

SF: Trevor Ariza is a fine role player, but can't be relied on to do much offensively, as seen with the Hornets. His 10-15 points a game, and above average defense can be counted on. Martell Webster, besides having an amazing mohawk, is really selfish and immature, and its interesting that the Wizards signed him based on their recent history. They must have figured they didnt have enough pop off the bench, which is mostly true. 

PF: Ah, Nene. What I hear is that the Nuggets were fed up with Nene sitting out with minor injuries, and didnt feel like paying him 12 mil a year. If you watched the olympics, you would know that Nene seems to have lost a step, and is past his prime (which wasn't nearly as good as what people hoped). He was good offensively because he was quicker than the centers who would often cover him, and could finish well at the rim. While he prefers playing PF, this advantage is lost at that position, and he doesn't have the jump shot to make up for it. Also, his matador defense is quite frustrating. Oh, and he basically only tries hard in the first quarter. Side Note: You will notice a trend of me saying all the negative things about the former Denver Nuggets, its personal. I think he will do fairly well on this team, since it is well balanced and he is basically the second offensive option. Trevor Booker is solid, but not flashy whatsoever, the typical role player on a bad team, who would have a reserved seat on the bench if he was on a playoff team. 

C: People forget that Okafor was the second pick in 2004. The Bobcats at the time loved his defense and rebounding and thought his offense would eventually develop. Basically they wanted him to be the next Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, or any of the great centers of old. In typical Bobcat fashion, they believed they needed better offensive production, got rid of him, but Okafor is the prototype NBA center of the 21st century. He is strong, can rebound on the defense and offensive end, and can tap the ball back out for the other players to score. It scares me that the Heat will eventually realize that a player like Okafor is exactly what they need to be completely dominant. Seraphin had a great olympics, and I hope Wittman gives him the playing time he deserves. Very crafty at the rim, and also a good defender and rebounder. 

This team is well built, solid at every position, but definitely will need to find an identity that Wittman will not provide. I really hope they improve, but I think they will end up 10th or 11th in the East, missing the playoffs by 4-5 games. At best they get the 8th seed and get romped by the Heat. I truly believe this will be the season that defines John Wall's career. Hope he's up for it. 

Again, like this note if you don't want to miss these previews. Also, I will really appreciate it and think highly of you. Next up, Cleveland Cavaliers