Washington Wizards Blog Posts

How Can the Washington Wizards Improve to Contender Status

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:30:52 EDT

Last night I was listening to an interview with former NBA head coach P.J. Carlesimo on 106.7 The Fan. He was commenting on the opening days of the NBA regular season, specifically about the Eastern Conference and his thoughts on who were the better teams. Not surprisingly he named the top three teams as the “factors,” those being Cleveland, Boston, and Orlando. He said that there are not any teams even close to those three but on the outside looking in is the Washington Wizards. The Wizards were the only team he mentioned as the fourth best team and he said this about three times. These comments got me thinking about what the Wizards need to do this regular season to take the next step and breach that label, in what areas can they improve to develop into the fourth Eastern Conference power?

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Washington Wizards Preseason AnalysisSeason Outlook

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:07:02 EDT

After it has ended, it is fairly unclear how much stock can be taken out of this year’s Washington Wizards preseason. As usual in preseason games the stars generally saw limited minutes, particularly at the end of the game. When the Wiz played the Cleveland Cavaliers they did not have to deal with Lebron James and the Wizards had to cope with a “swine-flu backcourt” for several games. It was ironically against those same Cavaliers that workhorse power forward Antawn Jamison endured a shoulder injury that could prove onerous in the beginning of the season. Flip Saunders remarked that Jamison’s injury is better to occur at the beginning of the regular season rather than the end. That’s a glass-half-full perspective but far from appeasing for a fanbase that is sick and tired of injuries plaguing promising seasons. As fans we could revert to what’s become an old adage, that “at least it will give time for the young players to develop,” but after three essentially lost seasons, that contrived positivity has run its course. It is hard to believe that the trio of Arenas, Butler, and Jamison hasn’t played a regular season game together since April 1, 2007.

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Why the Washington Wizards Will be a Top 10 Defense

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:19:40 EDT

With the Washington Wizards’ season set to get underway, there remain questions about the team’s chances to compete in the Eastern Conference. Will Gilbert Arenas stay healthy and be his old self? Will Andray Blatche fulfill his potential and be the player he can be? Will the Wizards regret getting rid of Oleksiy Pecherov? (just kidding). One major concern that will be definitive of the Wizards’ season is whether they can play defense, especially against teams of the East’s top tier such as Boston, Orlando, and Cleveland. Upon taking a closer look at the Wizards’ personnel, there are several reasons to believe that they can.

Throughout the Grunfeld era, the Wizards have enjoyed much success scoring points.
It has provided for some entertaining regular season games, but little success in the playoffs. Year after year the knock on this squad is that they can’t defend well enough to compete for a title, this is the year that it stops.

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5 Predictions for the 2009-10 Washington Wizards

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:48:26 EDT

1. Gilbert Arenas will average over 8 assists per game – It is quite obvious that with all the new offensive weapons and a healthy roster, Gilbert Arenas’ scoring average is going to go down. He isn’t going to be able to keep up a 29.3 ppg season like he did in 2005-06. My guess is that his numbers will drop down to around his career average of 22 ppg. Maybe even a little bit lower as there are going to be plenty of guys begging for the rock. Scoring averages aside, with Gilbert Arenas back in the line-up everyone will benefit. Gil still gets respect for his scoring capabilities, as evidenced in the two games last year in which he tallied 20 assists and no turnovers. He has the ability to draw the double team and help defense, much like Kobe, Dwyane, and Lebron, giving him opportunities to pass the ball off to the open man. In the two games he played last year, you could see that Gilbert still has a quick first step but is more cautious with it. That hesitancy makes opponents play on their heels which allows Gilbert to blow by them on a drive and get the basket or draw the foul. What is going to happen is Gilbert will come out this season as a type of player we aren’t used to seeing wear number “0.” His essentially two years away from the game have undoubtedly changed his perspective as a floor general. What will emerge is a Gilbert Arenas that involves his teammates while still showcasing the killer instinct that makes him the great scorer he is. Gilbert’s career assist average is 5.5 apg, a great figure for a small forward but not up to par with the best point guards in the league. Here are his assist averages over a few seasons:

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The New Look Wizards and What it Means for Their Chances in 09-10

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:29:18 EDT

The 2009-10 Washington Wizards’ roster seems to finally be shaping up as the addition of Fabricio Oberto solidifies their frontcourt with a viable back-up who has significant playoff experience. Oberto made his name with the San Antonio Spurs, complimenting Tim Duncan and fulfilling that role admirably. His statistics are unimpressive but he will essentially be asked to fill the Shrek-sized hole left by the departure of Michael Ruffin. Let’s just hope his number isn’t called to guard a Lebron crab-dribble on the baseline at the end of a playoff game.
Oberto will find his niche grabbing rebounds and providing spotty offense but basically his purpose will be to absorb personal fouls. Barring an injury, which given the Wizards history it should be expected, he probably won’t see extended minutes considering that Saunders is known for a short rotation. It would be ideal for Andray Blatche and/or Javale McGee to step up and be ready to be relied on but again, a seven-man rotation, or whatever he plans on utilizing, won’t allow for them to make many mistakes. Regardless, competing against Dwight Howard and Shaq requires depth down low for the purpose of fouling. The Celtics have both Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace now so depth at the forward and center positions is extremely important.

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Analysis of Washington Wizards Draft or lacktherof

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:58:43 EDT

Thursday, June the 25th has officially passed as the Washington Wizards remain in a state that few could have foreseen a week ago. After months of speculation and a calamitous draft lottery, Wizards fans can relax and look at back at what has happened. No Blake Griffin, no Ricky Rubio, no 5th overall pick, no 2nd round pick. It was fun but you kind of wish Ernie Grunfeld could have let us know that all of our mock drafts and trade scenarios would be obsolete. What’s left of the Wizards roster seems to be an incomplete project… still.
You have to think that the Wizards’ brass has something else up their sleeve, another maneuver that will balance the Wizards and give its fans the expectations of a great season. I still think that the team is improved but there seem to still linger significant holes. One large void to fill down low still remains and it is perplexing why the Wizards didn’t plug it with the “largest” plug in the draft. I am talking of course about Dejaun Blair. My friend and I were contemplating the possibility of the big man from Pitt slipping to the second round. It seemed impossible and then it happened. He was sitting there, all 270 pounds of him, just waiting for the Wizards to pick him and enable him to thrive in a reserved role on a playoff team. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones. The Washington Post covered the draft later in the night, with Michael Lee acknowledging the experts were in on it to:

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Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:53:24 EDT

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Washington Wizards make a bold move--is it the right one

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:35:14 EDT

Washington traded away it's 6th pick in the draft along with Darius Songalia, Etan Thomas, and Oleksey Pecherov to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. Two years ago the Wizards were an up and coming team. That changed last year when Gilbert Arenas was injured and out all year. Brendon Haywood was also out most of the year With Arenas back, there will be ample fire power. The roster all of the sudden looks really good.

pg--Gilbert Arenas, Javaris Crittendon, Mike James

sg--Randy Foye, Mike Miller, DeShaun Stevenson

sf--Caron Butler, Nick Young, Dominic McGuire

pf--Antawn Jamison, Andray Blatch

c--Brendon Haywood, JaVale McGee

Arenas has had 50 point games while Butler and Jamison averaged over 20 points a game last year. Add to that Foye's 16 he averaged last year and the 3 point bombs that Miller is known for and you have a lot of fire power. Yound and Blatch averaged 10 points each off the bench last year as did Mike James. So, the seocnd unit is going to be able to score. This is going to be a fast tempo fun group. Will Haywood and McGee be enough inside? That remains to be seen. The question of "was this a good trade" is yes. The 5th pick has produced 10 starters in the past 14 years with 5 of them being all-stars. So, there was almost a 1/3 chance to land an all-star or land a bust. The team got a young, guaranteed starter who can score along with an experienced sharp shooter. That is a good move. Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, then Washington?

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Washington Wizards Trade 5th Pick Land Randy Foye and Mike Miller

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:17:41 EDT

It has just been reported by The Washington Post that the Washington Wizards have dealt the 5th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The package includes Etan Thomas, Oleksiy Pecherov, and Darius Songaila. In return the Wizards receive promising 6'4" guard Randy Foye and former Rookie of the Year Mike Miller. In a much anticipated move, Washington landed Foye who averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists per game last season. A good amount of production, certainly more than you would expect out of a rookie if they drafted one. Mike Miller gives them the outside threat and a career average of 13.9 points per game. He provides depth at the small forward and shooting guard positions, allowing Dominic McGuire to focus on his role

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Washington Wizards Best Options for Thursdays NBA Draft

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:48:14 EDT

The last week has been quite interesting in that an influx of trade rumors and draft scenarios have flooded the Washington Wizards internet community. Michael Lee of The Washington Post has reported rumors of trades involving the Wizards’ 5th pick going to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers (gag), and the New York Knicks. While nothing really seems to be of substance, as www.bulletsforever.com has acknowledged, they are impossible to ignore. Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and Javale McGee are some of the notables that many teams, as many as 14, have expressed interest in. As we approach the draft, the fans’ opinions seem to be forming an almost consensus for Davidson guard Stephen Curry. The Washington Post conducted a poll that resulted in nearly half the votes garnered by Southern Conference product. DraftExpress.com now has the Wizards slotted for Jordan Hill with the 5th selection while both SI.com and ESPN.com are predicting James Harden. What do the Wizards need? And should they draft for need or get the best player? Both possibilities, in my opinion, may indeed overlap. ?I believe the most glaring need for the Washington Wizards is at the guard position. The Wizards have addressed the frontcourt pretty aggressively in recent years with the draft of McGee, Pecherov, and grooming of Andray Blatche. What appears to have happened is a negligence of the need for a guard, evident in the acceptance of Roger Mason, Jr.’s departure. Right now as the roster stands the Wizards possess a superstar in Gilbert Arenas but no significant contributor behind him. Stevenson could very well be done as the only thing he can do these days is talk trash. Even at his best he would be most effective coming off the bench. His occasional 3-point hot streak and solid defensive play would be a nice commodity in a reserved role. Nick Young is on the verge of being a solid 2 guard but an upgrade is certainly possible given the team’s draft situation. He might be at the point in his career when a little competition wouldn’t hurt. Mike Jones might not be a Wizard for long but I believe he could give quality minutes in a reserved role. He is not good enough to be the back-up point guard any more. I could see his best-case-scenario being reduced to the role of an Anthony Johnson, not the primary back-up but a solid third option for sporadic minutes. I like Jarvaris Crittenton a lot, he is around 6’5” with good speed and a nice work ethic. With the overstock of combo guards in this draft the Wizards may be able to pick a player that would still allow Crit room to develop as a role player. You have to like his prospects with his size and athleticism, he is just a classic case of a player who entered the pro’s too early, only he has a chance to actually make it in the Association. ?

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