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I Washington Wizards they are a really strange team: they often start at the starting line with high expectations, looking for an important place in this NBA. And this year does not make any kind of exception even if the important results have been missing for quite a while, at least since the keys to the franchise were in the hands of John Wall. This team has young and talented players, important veterans, but they still lack the necessary chemistry to really do well. This will be the number one goal ofhead coach Wes Unseld Jr. After last season which did not go absolutely according to expectations, the Wizards they will try to raise the bar and take a step forward towards more important goals. The project remains open and revolves around a specific player, looking for a place in playoff in Eastern Conference.
Washington Wizards: the results of the past seasons
As said i Washington Wizards they are a franchise that has not brought home interesting results for some time: the last noteworthy ones are those of the 2016/17 season. A year in which they were drawn by John’s points and assists Wall until the semifinals of Conferencelost in game 7 against i Boston Celtics in Isaiah Thomas. Let’s say that neither water has passed under the bridge: in the last 5 NBA seasons the team from the capital has never passed the first round of playoff and has closed with a record below 50% in the last 4 years. In 2020/21 the qualification came thanks to play-in with Russell at the helm Westbrook. Last season, on the other hand, was very disappointing from many points of view, also due to factors outside the game.
The 2021/22 season started immediately with a surprise move: the trade of the same Westbrook towards i Los Angeles Lakers. In its place a plethora of players who then did not give the contribution everyone hoped for. Let’s talk about Kentavious Cladwell-Pope e Montrezl Harrell. As for Kyle Kuzma the hopes that he will become a good player for the NBA are still there. In addition there was also the change on the bench: out of Scott Brooks inside Wes Unseld. The start was very good, but after that the team began to disassemble and lose pace. Bradley’s wrist injury made a big difference to the season Beal who took it off the parquet for the whole year. At that point i playoff became a miracle with the team finishing with a record of 35 wins and 47 losses, twelfth in the Eastern Conference.
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A roster with high potential
I Washington Wizards they are a team that on paper has the potential to do well in the NBA. The real problem is that the level of the whole Conference has gone up and at the moment it doesn’t look like a roster able to make its way into the post season. All hopes for a good year inevitably revolve around a single player and his performance. We are obviously talking about guard Bradley Beal, fresh fresh renewal at maximum wage. As mentioned, it comes from a year ended out due to the fault of the wrist. However, the player showed that he was a level guard all star, without any discussion. He is the absolute star of the team and many of the offensive possessions will be for him. He will stay with Wes Unseld find a way to take off the offensive pressure and find other alternatives as well. A very important topic for the team from the capital, looking for players able to give points and balance.
The second violin will probably be Kyle Kuzma arrived precisely from Lakers in trade con Westbrook. Only player left a roster of that exchange. The big forward finished last season with an average of 17 points and 8 rebounds. All improving, even if slightly, all the important statistics such as the percentages from the field. The former Los Angeles is a very important piece for the Wizards because he is a flexible player, able to play three and four. Moreover, he can open the field very well and can also dribble well and create the shot from the dribble. Fundamental skills in the modern NBA. A good piece that will have to improve further and take that decisive step to become an absolute level player.
Kristaps should start from third violin Porzingis arrived last season come on Dallas Mavericks. An exchange that he took off from roster and ball handler as important as Spencer Dinwiddie. A choice that has not paid off for now, but the results will be seen starting this season. The Latvian ended his year at 20 points and 8 rebounds on average, significantly lowering his three-point percentage. The player will likely be used as the starting center, but he too is very flexible on paper. A player so tall and long with that shot, that dribble and those characteristics remains very difficult to find, even in the modern NBA. Kristaps will have to find the right motivation to take that extra step, especially mentally.
The roster and objectives of the Wizards
As said after the departure of Dinwiddie was missing a ball handler capable of relieving pressure a Beal. For this specific purpose Monte arrived Morris which will most likely start from the owner. A very important grip that gives more depth to roster, especially looking at the offensive side of the pitch. Same with Willie’s arrival Barton. Behind them many interesting players who can give depth. Perhaps this is missing roster a real hub, but we all know the modern NBA is going in another direction at the moment. The doubts remain many and I don’t know how much the improvements made in off season may correspond to a better record. The goal remains to achieve the playoff and without injuries whatsoever, it would seem to be a possible goal. From there to pass at least one shift there passes, with the Eastern Conference more and more competitive every year.
