Washington Wizards Team Preview

Posted by HoopsAvenue on October 25, 2008 under Washington Wizards |

Finally it’s HoopsAvenue’s turn for the long-awaited Washington Wizards team preview (at least maybe it’s been long awaited by Wizards fans!)

Washington Wizards

Last Year’s Record: 43-39

Key Losses: Roger Mason

Key Additions: Juan Dixon, Dee Brown, Javale McGee

What significant moves were made during the offseason?

The key move for the Wizards this offseason was not losing anyone significant!  The Wizards entered the offseason with Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison both as free agents.  Obviously Wizards fans were a bit concerned with 2 of their top 3 players being free agents, especially since the never underspoken Arenas had made some not so subtle threats about leaving town if he didn’t get what he wanted.  Thankfully, Jamison signed quickly to a 4 year $50 million deal and Arenas soon followed with a 6 year $111 million deal.

Over $150 million was enough for one offseason so the Wizards didn’t do much else.  They did, however, bring the fan favorite and streak scorer Juan Dixon back to Washington.  The fans will love him again and he should get a real chance to contribute with Arenas sidelined for the first few months.  In the draft, the Wizards picked up big man Javale McGee, an athletic 7-footer from Nevada.  McGee has had some good preseason games scoring-wise thus far, but the Wizards will be looking for rebounds and shotblocking from their big men.

What are the team’s biggest strengths?

The Wizards’ biggest strengths are its individuals’ scoring ability and resiliency.  Although we will not see him until January, Gilbert Arenas is one of the NBA’s most explosive players and capable of putting up points in a hurry by way of the three pointer and getting to the rim.  Antawn Jamison has a great knack for scoring as well, although you wouldn’t consider him explosive.  Its creativity and a deft shooting touch that makes Jamison a consistent 20 PPG player and one of the few active players to have tallied a 50 point game.  Jamison and Arenas, along with Butler will once again have a shot at each averaging 20 PPG, an impressive feat.  Juan Dixon and Nick Young will be coming off the bench and, while they aren’t going to vy for the scoring title, they are both capable of having 30 point nights.  With so many capable scorers, the Wizards should be able to find someone to keep them close even on the worst of nights.

In addition to their scoring abilities, the Wizards have shown more resiliency than any other team the last few years.  They’ve dealt with the Arenas injury for the past two seasons, a Caron Butler injury during the ‘07 playoffs, and now they’ll be without Arenas and center Brendan Haywood to start the 2008-09 campaign.  Although the team will miss Arenas and Haywood, the reason they are still a playoff contender is because of the toughness of Caron Butler.  He’s earned the nickname “Tough Juice” for a reason and seems to always keep the Wizards afloat.

What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?

Well, besides staying healthy, the Wizards biggest weakness continues to be defense.  They’ll also be tested on the inside.  The Wizards tied for last place in 3-point field goal percentage defense last season, a sign that they don’t always make their rotations and gamble too much, a charge any Wizards fan will tell you is true.  Their field goal percentage defense was better, but could stand to be improved.  Coach Eddie Jordan has put a great deal of emphasis on defense the past few seasons (and they have gotten better), but further progress needs to be made if the Wizards want to contend.

Defense will be even more challenging this season as big man Brendan Haywood will miss quite possibly the entire season.  Look for a center-by-committee approach from Coach Jordan.  Etan Thomas, Andray Blatche, and Javale McGee will all be asked to fill the role.  Etan will be the punisher, Andray the finesse guy, and McGee the shotblocker.  Too bad they can’t be combined into one player.

What are the team’s goals?

Optimistically speaking, the Wizards hope to have a Big 3 of Arenas, Jamison, and Butler by January, start playing for homecourt, get Haywood back for the playoffs (with no rust somehow), and try to make the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Wizards would surely be happy with that scenario, but realistically they have a few primary goals.  The first is to obviously get healthy.  Second, they want to develop their young talent: Nick Young, Javale McGee, and Andray Blatche.  As far as results, they certainly want to make the playoffs.  Arenas was out last season and they still did it so it would be a disappointment not to be back this season.  They should aim for at least the Second Round as Wizards fans are tired of getting bounced in Round 1.

What crazy thing will Gilbert Arenas do this season?

This is obviously question numero uno for the Wizards this season.  What will Arenas do next?  We heard about his million dollar pool and mountain and his high altitude air pressure house, but what is next?  How long can Arenas continue to be the biggest star in Washington without actually doing anything?  When will his blog be updated?  These are all pressing questions for the Wizards faithful.  We can only wait and see.

Predicted Record: 45 - 37

Yep, I’m taking the optimistic angle here that Washington does have a Big 3 in mid-January and improves on last season’s record.  Even without Arenas, there’s no reason this team isn’t at or above .500 by January.  Jamison and Butler should be able to carry the load and they’ve got a capable group of role players and some improving young talent.  I’ll go as far to say that the Wizards will make the 2nd Round.