July 2, 201313 yr Since the arrival of John Wall I have started following the Wizards a lot more, in the last couple of seasons you could even say they may be my favorite team in the NBA. I like the Heat because of Lebron, but as far as favoring a team I like Washington perhaps more so than Miami. I have never really had a favorite NBA team, although I have always liked the teams my favorite players have played on. The Wizards have went through a tough, slow rebuilding process but I think its about to pay off finally. After starting 6-26 last season without Wall, they ended up posting .500 number after Wall returned. That 25-25 mark was also with many injuries to key pieces such as Brad Beal, Nene, Ariza, Okafor, and others. At the end of last season Wall was playing like one of the leagues best PG's, the player he was supposed to have been ever since being chosen #1 in the draft. Now after drafting Brad Beal and Otto Porter Jr. in back to back drafts with the #3 pick, the Wiz look to be on the move toward a playoff spot. I am kind of like you. I have been a person who really never had a favorite team, but maybe rooted for the team who had my favorite player. That is why I have been a Heat fan since Wade has been there. Which has worked out well since James has joined the team, and I use to hate James haha. However New Orleans is the team that has started to become my favorite team since they have Davis and Miller. It would have been nice if they kept Nerlens, but New Orleans to me is like what the Wizards are to you. Which I am hoping the Wizards do well too because of Wall.
July 2, 201313 yr Author They have officially signed Martell Webster to a four year 22 mil deal, or for their entire MLE. IMO this was a huge signing for them as he emerged as one of the best marksman in the league last season and with Webster on the court the Wiz were the second best three point shooting team in the league behind Miami and Golden State. Ariza and Okafor's deals come off the books after this season so that should open up around 20 mil in cap space. Like I've said, I really like the direction they are going in. Will have to find long term solutions down low once Nene and Okafor are done but for the present and the next couple of seasons should be pretty good. Light years from where they were a few years ago.
July 2, 201313 yr Author They have also signed Eric Maynor as a backup PG. He showed a lot of promise in OKC subbing for Westbrook until he tore his ACL, then he was expendable after the emergence of Reggie Jackson. Looked to regain his old form in Portland the last half of the season, and is now a year and a half removed from the injury. Wizards needed a backup PG in a bad way and they finally landed a decent one it appears.
July 2, 201313 yr Author Current Wizards Roster (going to include Porter as a starter because that is the plan long term and likely move sometime later in the season). Wall Beal Porter Nene Okafor Webster (scoring 6th man) Kevin Seraphin (PF/C) Trevor Ariza (SG/SF) Eric Maynor (PG) Trevor Booker (PF) Glen Rice Jr. (SG/SF) Jan Vesely (PF) Chris Singleton (SF/PF) They really need to try and move Singleton, Vesely, Booker all three or a combination of the three to get a stretch 4 or another true post (although Nene and Okafor both can work as a 5 man). Not sure what they could get for them but I would take anybody capable of being in the rotation to really give this team some versatilty and depth on the bench. Still not bad though, especially if Vesely could ever develop into anything close to a #6 pick. Still not sure how they drafted a 6'11'' Europeon who can't shoot or dribble to play the 3 spot, but oh well.
July 2, 201313 yr Author On paper that don't look all that fancy, but Nene and Okafor both have been extremely productive down low. Beal shined once Wall came back and that is going to be a great young backcourt for years to come. Porter is going to be the guy that can do it all, go both ways playing offense and defense. He can really pass and hit the mid range, he will eventually be a solid 3pt shooter. Webster is a nice scoring option, especially from outside. I like the potential in Rice to be a solid rotation player, athletic, versatile, starting to be a knock down shooter. Really starting to think this is a playoff team for the next few years.
August 12, 201313 yr Author Wiz zeroing in on signing Al Harrington. They need a stretch four in a bad way so he would be a perfect fit. I was hoping they could lock him up after Orlando waived him, looks close to happening. Harrington would provide someone to space the floor and give Wall and Beal more room to work. He would also provide more fire power off the bench which they surely need. A couple of seasons ago he was a sixth man of the year candidate for the Nuggets, he had an injury that later became infected with staph and that took him out of the picture until late last season, but I still think he can give you something. He has been working hard all summer, and from all accounts looks good. This would take their roster to 15. Wall Beal Webster Nene Okafor Ariza (2G/SF) Porter (SF) Maynor (PG) Harrington (PF) Seraphin (C/PF) Vesely (PF) Rice Jr. (2G/SF) Trevor Booker Chris Singleton Garrett Temple
August 12, 201313 yr Author Finally it looks like a decent NBA roster. The Wiz have had a couple of pieces the last couple of seasons but their overall depth has been one of the worst in the league. Now they have a quality second unit and guys who are capable of scoring the ball coming off the bench. They now have finally locked down a premiere backup point guard to spell Wall, a strecth 4 in Harrington, and two pretty good wings in Ariza and Porter Jr. If Seraphin can bounce back and recover from last season and show some of the promise he did a couple of seasons ago the Wiz can go a legit 10 deep. This should at least help soften the blows of injuries which has been their biggest achilles heel the last few seasons. If Vesely can figure out how to translate his athleticism and continue to hit his jumper like in Summer League, and if Rice Jr. develops into a rotation guy they could actually be 12 deep. To be good in this league it has to go beyond the starters, I applaud Ernie for finally putting a decent team together.
August 12, 201313 yr Barring any injuries I think they could compete for a 7th or 8th seed in the East. If Wall plays at the level he did late last year then this will be a tough team.
August 12, 201313 yr Author Barring any injuries I think they could compete for a 7th or 8th seed in the East. If Wall plays at the level he did late last year then this will be a tough team. Yeah Wall played like one of the best PG's in the league the last half of the season (considering Rose and Rondo were both out).
August 13, 201313 yr Author The rookies progression will be the x-factor for the Wizards this season. I agree. If Porter can be a solid rotation guy and play defense, rebound, hit an open shot or two, and make all the hustle plays, this team can be good. Furthermore, if Rice Jr. develops enough to be able to get minutes on the big stage he has the offensive ability to go for 20 on a given night. I'm thinking it will take him a couple of seasons to get the feel of the NBA game, but I think playing in the D-League gave him a little bit of an edge when it comes to growing pains. If he can find his way into the rotation by the end of the year I think he adds a nice scoring punch to sub Beal/Ariza.
August 14, 201313 yr The top 4 is going to be heat pacers bulls and nets. But after that the Wiz have a shot against anyone if Wall continues where he left off.
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