Washington Wizards: Comeback Team Of The Year
Coming off of a 19 win season, most teams don’t go into their next season favored to make the playoffs. But the Washington Wizards will attempt to make one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history. Coming off of an injury-ridden season, the wizards finally have everyone healthy, and they feel they can return to being successful. Last season was a disappointment to say the least for the Washington Wizard Organization. The Wizards started off the season with an 1-10 record, which would lead to the firing of head coach Eddie Jordan. Ed Tapscott would become the interim coach for the remainder of the season, and attempt to turn the season around. The Wizards would continue to make moves, including a three way trade in which they gave away veteran point guard Antonio Daniels and a future second round pick in return for Javaris Crittenton and Mike James. But the injuries were too much to overcome as Gilbert Arenas would play a total of 2 games, Brendan Haywood a total of 6 games, Deshawn Stevenson a total of 32 games, and Caron Butler a total of 67 games. The Wizards would finish the season with 1 win more than the franchise low, and a squad full of disappointed members. Going into the off season, the Wizards knew they needed to make something happen in order to put the 19 win season behind them. The first move was made when the Wizards would hire Flip Saunders as the new head coach. Saunders would bring in a 587-396 record, and a history of taking teams far in the playoffs. The Wizards, however, were not done making moves. They would go on to the draft to make a trade which would bring in Mike Miller and Randy Foye, for Darius Songaila, Oleksi Pecherov, and Etan Thomas, and the fifth pick. This trade would give extra support to the backcourt, and bring quality players who were starters on previous teams. After the off season moves, the wizards are as motivated as ever. Many talks of playoff contention have been aroused, but even talks of a championship by Antawn Jamison, and new head coach Flip Saunders. But with all the moves made, and the hiring of head coach Flip Saunders, the biggest addition will be the return of the wizards all star, Gilbert Arenas. Gilbert is on a mission to return to being one of the best players in the league. After going to Tim Grover’s camp (which includes players such as Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Andre Iguodala), people are convinced that Arenas is back, and he will need to be in order for the wizards to have success. From now it’s just a matter of health for the Wizards, which hasn’t worked out well in previous seasons. If the Wizards can stay healthy, they are a favorite to make the playoffs, and to be a top 5 team in the eastern conference. The big three of Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler, as well as the proven head coach Flip Saunders will be the key for the Wizards’ success. Only time will tell whether this team can return to being a top team in the east and put the past disappointments behind them.
5 Nov 2009 - 14:05 by oldskool716	Rumors | comments (137)