Washington Wizards
2008-09 Record: 19-63
Anticipated Starting Five
PG- Gilbert Arenas
SG- Mike Miller
SF- Caron Butler
PF- Antawn Jamison
C- Brendan Haywood
Key Reserves: Andray Blatche, Randy Foye, Nick Young, DeShawn Stevenson, JaVale McGee
Biggest Strength: Tons of Offense
Arenas, Miller, Butler, Jamison, Foye and Young provide plenty of scoring punch in the backcourt and on the wing. They have a lack of a true post player but they can surely overcome that with very versatile scorers: Jamison, Butler and Arenas. Adding a true shooter in Mike Miller to replace Stevenson will be huge. You can’t at all leave him open and expect to win games verse this team. Nick Young is developing into a nice offensive player and Foye will provide some spark as well.
I think the key might be Andray Blatche adn Haywood. Washington will need them to rebound well enough especially on the offensive end to give those other guys more shot opportunities AND to provide some garbage points down low.
Biggest Weakness: Defense
Defense is the reason this team hasn’t been able to get out of the first round. They’ve had a strong offensive coach and strong offensive players. But they could never get a key stop at critical moments in playoff games. Unless the core of the squad puts as much focus and intensity on defense as they do on offense they will continue to be a first round loser.
Key Player: Gilbert Arenas
As always Gilbert Arenas is the key to this team’s success. When he is on his game and playing within the team concept the Wizards are pretty tough. This year Arenas needs to step up in three ways.
- Be and stay healthy
- Be a real leader and set a positive example on the defensive end
- Be a complete offensive player not just a proficient gunner
If he can do that the Wiz, with their new additions will have a big turnaround and could threaten Atlanta for the 5th spot.
Biggest Question: Is this the worst uniform/name combo in the NBA?
The 2 most popular posts of all time on this blog are uniform related, and I myself am always interested in new logos, jerseys, etc… And, I have to say that Washington’s franchise change from the red/white/blue Bullets to the teal/gold/black Wizards might be the worst in sports history. I get that Bullets probably should have gone since a team named after assassination attempts is probably in bad taste, but where on earth did the Wizards come from? Washington is the country’s capital, full of symbols and landmarks and they couldn’t find one thing to use? Just horrible name, color combo and design.
Best Individual Season of All-Time: Walt Bellamy 1961-62
31.6 ppg, 19.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 52% FG%
The Wizards franchise began as the Chicago Packers in 1961-62. Their first year was horrible in the box score, but it did have a bright spot in Walt Bellamy, who was 2nd in the NBA in scoring (behind Wilt’s 50 ppg) and 3rd in rebounding (behind Wilt and Russell). Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Bellamy are the only players to ever go for 31 points and 19 rebounds per game in a single season.
Pete’s 2010 Outlook: 3rd place, Southeast division / 5th place, Eastern conference / 12th place, NBA
I have a feeling I might regret this pick, but I think that the Wizards will make a huge comeback this year and be a tough out in the playoffs. Part of it is that I think Arenas will come back healthy and play well and part of it is that I like the additions of Foye and Miller. But the biggest part for me is their new head coach, Flip Saunders, who I think will do a great job utilizing all the offensive firepower that this team has.
Dannie’s 2010 Outlook: 4th place, Southeast division / 6th place, Eastern conference / 13th place, NBA
Washington will have at least double the wins they had last season and their potential is much higher. This team has talent. To be more than a first round loser and to make some real noise in the playoffs they collectively need to commit to the defensive end. Can Flip positively impact that side of the ball? They can score with anyone but can they defend? Butler is a tough defender and I love his game. Jamison is a strong rebounder but his defense is suspect. Arenas is capable of being a strong defender but will he be motivated? On top of that the Wiz need another 2008 type season from Haywood.
This is a playoff team but will they make noise?
See all 2010 NBA team previews
They do have some pretty weak uni’s and a mediocre name.
I think they will be better this year but handing them a middle of the pack playoff spot is pretty gracious. It’s not out of the question, but I have to see the 120 mill dollar man stay on the court a little bit. There are a lot of “what ifs” this season, it should be a funny year.
Dannie – I think its odd you love Caron, but aren’t on the Iguodala wagon. Being that they are almost the same player, but for their careers, Iguodala leads in all advanced stats aside from tRB% and tOV%.
Ryan F-
Biggest strength(s):
-Big 3 (when healthy)
-Rebounding
-Flip Saunders (on offense)
-Verizon Center
Biggest weakness(es):
-Health (the biggest issue)
-Flip Saunders (on defense, taking the next step come postseason)
-Frontcourt depth (Thomas, Songalia are gone!)
-More talking, less basketball (Arenas, Stevenson)
This Wizards team will be interesting and could attempt to do the same thing the Heat did last season and turn their season around the entire 360 and make the playoffs. The only thing really standing in their way would be health (especially the Big 3).
I think the Wizards will be 4th in the Southeast, 7th in the East, assuming the Big 3 are healthy.
(On a side note, the Sixers will be (2-1) against the Wizards. This will be a fun series and a “personal” one for Eddie Jordan without admitting it. The Sixers will win one at home and one in Washington. Elton Brand could be key in dominating the Wizards with his double-doubles. Last year, he had his best game against these Wizards. Battle of the frontcourts could be key. Both teams could use the Princeton Offense and it comes down to making stops! Plus, Mike ‘O Koren and Randy Ayers are now with the Sixers coaching staff, ex-Wizards.)
Pete – I like Iguodala more because he’s ours, but respect Caron a lot as well. They’re very similar and both compare to LeBron in a sense. Though Butler rebounds and shoots the jumper a little better than Igg, and Iguodala passes and gets to the rim better than Caron and LeBron is just much nastier and much much more talented than either one. They’re all well rounded players and contribute heavily to every part of the game, you don’t see that very often anymore. I agree neither one is the player who is going to get you into the finals at this point in their career (Caron & Igg, certainly LBJ can), but I think it is safe to say that Caron is at his ceiling right now and we’re all hoping that Andre isn’t.
The Wizards could be very good this year if everything falls in place and Arenas is healthy, but I think you could say that about our team if Brand is healthy.
Ryan - I think Butler is more of a basketball player and Iguodala is more of an athlete that plays basketball. The numbers turn out to be very close I knew that. I don’t dislike Iguodala just not a big fan. I like watching Butler play, whereas I can watch anybody run, jump and dunk the ball.
I am very interested to see how Iguodala scores this season in a new offense, without a pure point guard running the show and being put back in the shooting guard spot.
Another thing about Iguodala that bothers me is production longevity. The one thing I loved about MJ was the fact that he wasn’t a great/very good shooter when he was young but understood as he got older and couldn’t jump over guys anymore he adapted and developed into a killer mid-range shooter and stronger post player.
I question whether Iguodala will ever adapt his game in that way when 14+% of shots aren’t dunks anymore.
I can see that, well explained. He is a better basketball player. I appreciate good quality fundamental basketball, but I appreciate tremendous athletic play as well. I am curious to see how he does this year too, I’m thinking it’ll be a “break out” year so to speak for him, but I always get shit optimistic in October. We’ll see.