Washington Wizards = Sleeping Giant
It probably went under the radar for most because of the Shaq and Carter trades, but the Wizards quietly aquired Mike Miller and Randy Foye from Minnesota for the 5th pick in the draft last week. They also dumped some salary getting rid of Etan Thomas and a couple other end of the bench guys.
The Wizards have what should be a healthy Gilbert Arenas coming back after not playing really at all last season. You add Foye and Miller to that backcourt as well now. DeShuan Stevenson was hurt most of the year, he'll be back for depth. Of course there is still Jamison and Butler to deal with. Brendan Haywood returns to provide a presence in the middle after missing the entire season last year. You've got a developing Javale McGee for depth at center. Not to mention Flip Saunders is the new coach. They still need one more big body to provide some productive minutes at the 4, but they should be able to pick someone up for that role.
I don't know what the future price is on Washington winning the East, but I've got a feeling this team is going to blow up this season. I really don't know how anyone is going to stop them from scoring basically at will. If everyone is healthy, how do you gaurd them?? Arenas, Butler, Jamison, Miller, Foye....maybe Blatche if he can develop consistency....Nick Young off the bench...Stevenson.... matchup nightmares and scoring threats everywhere you look.
The question mark will be what it always is with this team - can they defend at all? I know it's a big IF, but if they can commit to playing some defense for once this team is as talented as any the league and can go as far as that commitment takes them in my opinion. Should be a fun team to watch at the very least. As a Wizards fan I haven't been this excited about an NBA season in.....well.... forever.
The Wizards have what should be a healthy Gilbert Arenas coming back after not playing really at all last season. You add Foye and Miller to that backcourt as well now. DeShuan Stevenson was hurt most of the year, he'll be back for depth. Of course there is still Jamison and Butler to deal with. Brendan Haywood returns to provide a presence in the middle after missing the entire season last year. You've got a developing Javale McGee for depth at center. Not to mention Flip Saunders is the new coach. They still need one more big body to provide some productive minutes at the 4, but they should be able to pick someone up for that role.
I don't know what the future price is on Washington winning the East, but I've got a feeling this team is going to blow up this season. I really don't know how anyone is going to stop them from scoring basically at will. If everyone is healthy, how do you gaurd them?? Arenas, Butler, Jamison, Miller, Foye....maybe Blatche if he can develop consistency....Nick Young off the bench...Stevenson.... matchup nightmares and scoring threats everywhere you look.
The question mark will be what it always is with this team - can they defend at all? I know it's a big IF, but if they can commit to playing some defense for once this team is as talented as any the league and can go as far as that commitment takes them in my opinion. Should be a fun team to watch at the very least. As a Wizards fan I haven't been this excited about an NBA season in.....well.... forever.
