WizFans, what are your expectations?

[BanndNDC]

im a bit hesitant to expect .500 ball. im very confident in the backcourt and scoring but very worried about the rebounding and inside defense. i think we could be very fun to watch with wall/arenas/mcgee dunking though so that's what ill be expecting.

i expect nothing more than arenas and wall working well together and one mcgee alley oop a game.

[dandridge 10]

getting arenas back is LIKE getting another number 1 pick. i'm saying +15 wins from last year. 41 wins AT LEAST.

What about the loss of Haywood, Miller, and to a degree Jamison and Butler?

As a historically drunken optimist, I'm really excited for our growth but don't see us winning more than 30-35 games.

Derrick Rose's Bulls went 41-41 when he was a rookie, and that roster had tons more talent top to bottom.

Deron WIlliams went 41-41 as a rookie with far more supporting talent.

Russell Westbrook's Thunder were 23-59 with Durant, Green, Collison, Kristic, Wilcox, etc.

We're a lot closer in total talent to that Thunder team than we are those Bulls or Jazz. And that's....Oh kay!

Fish,

I'm with you on this one. I think some people are overrating the talent we currently have on this team and looking at it from a perfect scenario.

While I think Wall is going to be a fantastic player, I see him having a lot of ups and downs this season. Until he learns to slow down and let the game come to him, I see a lot of turnovers this year as well as charging fouls. I also think that he is going to struggle a bit until he develops a jumper. Teams are going to pack it in against the Wizards and force them to shoot outside. Aside from Arenas, we really don't have any consistent shooters on this team.

Regarding Arenas, there is too much uncertainty. How is his health? How is his mindset? How is he going to fit with Wall, when the ball is not going to be in his hands most of the time. I just don't see Arenas coming off picks and shooting. I think Arenas is much more effective with the ball in his hands. How is this going to work with Wall? Is he going to be able to defend quicker PG or bigger SG, or is he willing too? Too many uncertainties to predict Gil is going to return to his former self.

Blatche was great the last 1/4 of the season last year. But, will he carry that over? I don't know. I am still not sold on him. He has been in the league, what, five seasons...he needs to show more to me than a good 1/4 of a season before I declare him a potential all-star. Also, we don't know if his foot injury is going to hamper him at the beginning of the season and whether he will be in shape. Even if he does get back to how he was at the end of last season, it might take awhile.

McGee and Young - based on their play in summer league, I see the same types of players we saw last year. Flashes of brilliance and a lot of "WTF were you thinking?" moments. I think people are counting on them to grow a lot more than they will. I'm beginning to think that they are what they are.

Other rookies - what else can be said, they are rookies picked in the mid-late first round. I'm not expecting much out of them other than showing some flashes here and there.

Other pick-ups - Heiney, Yi, Armstrong - all coming off disappointing seasons from all accounts.

Others -- basically scrubs who we are counting on contributing more than they are capable of.

I don't mean to sound like a negative nellie, but I think too many things will have to work out perfectly for us to be a playoff team this year...Wall needs to be an all-star or close to an all-star this year, Gilbert and Wall have to play well together, Blatche needs to play as he did at the end of last year, Young and McGee have to improve considerably, and Heiney and Yi need to give good contribution off the bench. AND, all the starters need to stay healthy because we will have a limited bench. I'm not betting on all these things happening.

Notwithstanding, its still going to be a fun season to watch, even if they don't make the playoffs.

[Bickerstaff]

Unless Arenas is an MVP candidate AND Blatche continues what he was doing at the end of last season AND Wall experiences fewer growing pains than a lot of us expect AND the team finds a consistent starting SF, I think .500 is a best case scenario. I think they'll be in the running for the 8th seed in the east, but it might only take 35 wins to get the 8th seed this season.

[Rafael122]

Mike Wise on the pre-game show said this is a 30 win team. REALLY? We won 26 games last year, and we added John Wall and Gilbert Arenas and we're only going to improve by 4 games? I don't believe that. We'll be a 35 win team, at least.

[fishercob]

Mike Wise on the pre-game show said this is a 30 win team. REALLY? We won 26 games last year, and we added John Wall and Gilbert Arenas and we're only going to improve by 4 games? I don't believe that. We'll be a 35 win team, at least.

We didn't just add Wall and Gilbert to a 26 win team! We lost Haywood, Mike Miller, Jamison, Butler, Livingston, etc. We have no starting small forward at the moment. We have no physicality and experience in the front court.

We're going to have some spectacular moments, but we have an exceptionally shallow roster and rotation. We have no idea when Blatche will be back to 100% physically (great point dandridge). We have no idea what Booker, Yi and Seraphin will give us (if anything).

People are setting themselves up for crazy disappointment. I don't look forward to the "Flip Saunders must be fired" threads when we're 18-32 at the all-star break....

[Hoopalotta]

People are setting themselves up for crazy disappointment. I don't look forward to the "Flip Saunders must be fired" threads when we're 18-32 at the all-star break....

Yeah, I was just thinking that - he's going to get absolutely hammered when the bubble is burst.

The front office has, without hesitation or shame, flagrantly tanked to this point with the roster moves. The roster is about 80% on pure developmental footing.

[Rafael122]

Mike Wise on the pre-game show said this is a 30 win team. REALLY? We won 26 games last year, and we added John Wall and Gilbert Arenas and we're only going to improve by 4 games? I don't believe that. We'll be a 35 win team, at least.

We didn't just add Wall and Gilbert to a 26 win team! We lost Haywood, Mike Miller, Jamison, Butler, Livingston, etc. We have no starting small forward at the moment. We have no physicality and experience in the front court.

We're going to have some spectacular moments, but we have an exceptionally shallow roster and rotation. We have no idea when Blatche will be back to 100% physically (great point dandridge). We have no idea what Booker, Yi and Seraphin will give us (if anything).

People are setting themselves up for crazy disappointment. I don't look forward to the "Flip Saunders must be fired" threads when we're 18-32 at the all-star break....

We won 26 games with those guys though. And Arenas missed 50 games.

[miller31time]

Can you all just let me have my one moment of positivity?!

[dandridge 10]

Mike Wise on the pre-game show said this is a 30 win team. REALLY? We won 26 games last year, and we added John Wall and Gilbert Arenas and we're only going to improve by 4 games? I don't believe that. We'll be a 35 win team, at least.

We didn't just add Wall and Gilbert to a 26 win team! We lost Haywood, Mike Miller, Jamison, Butler, Livingston, etc. We have no starting small forward at the moment. We have no physicality and experience in the front court.

We're going to have some spectacular moments, but we have an exceptionally shallow roster and rotation. We have no idea when Blatche will be back to 100% physically (great point dandridge). We have no idea what Booker, Yi and Seraphin will give us (if anything).

People are setting themselves up for crazy disappointment. I don't look forward to the "Flip Saunders must be fired" threads when we're 18-32 at the all-star break....

Exactly, but the good thing is I won't have to hear about Flip not playing the young guys, because that will be the only thing available to him.

[JonathanJoseph]

3 games watching John Wall. 3 times revising my win total up a few.

Wow is he good.

[miller31time]

It's not just me, apparently.

Even the posters on the GB think we're half-way decent.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1036546

Many have us at 8th or 9th. Some 10th. A few have us as the worst, though not many.

[Hoopalotta]

People are setting themselves up for crazy disappointment. I don't look forward to the "Flip Saunders must be fired" threads when we're 18-32 at the all-star break....

Exactly, but the good thing is I won't have to hear about Flip not playing the young guys, because that will be the only thing available to him.

But, you will get to hear that:

A) He's playing the wrong young guys
B) He's using the young guys that he does play in the wrong way.

Seriously, about the only thing that I'd say in favor of the 'Zards making the playoffs next year is that the lower middle east is bog-rot ugly. If Charlotte implodes, which I doubt, there's two chairs open for some hobos at the dinner table, one otherwise.

So as of July, the 8th seed is looking to be a stinker and I'm having a painful go of it trying to select the candidate with the least offensive odor to slot in there. However, I would not be shocked to see one of these clubs make a decisive win now move in season (or even in the next month?) to cement their standing there and I doubt it would be us considering what we've seen so far.

[willbcocks]

Injuries could be a big factor. But stupidly assuming perfect health for all, I put the Pacers and Knicks ahead of the Wiz, and Philly and Cleveland (I think they'll make a win now move) at the same level. I think we'll be better than Joisey, Detroit and Toronto.

[B-easy]

I'm saying we win 35 MAX.

[closg00]

My assessment using MT's rankings:

Surefire Playoff Teams

Miami
Boston
Orlando
Atlanta
Chicago
Milwaukee
..................................................
Potential Playoff Teams
Charlotte
.....................................................
Non-Playoff Teams
New York
Indiana
Detroit
Philadelphia
New Jersey
Cleveland
Toronto

One or two of the non-playoff teams will surprise. IF Blatche comes back at full-strength, we might be able to sniff around the edges of that 8th seed despite our weak front court. I expect a tight battle for that 8th spot.

[Ruzious]

People are setting themselves up for crazy disappointment. I don't look forward to the "Flip Saunders must be fired" threads when we're 18-32 at the all-star break....

Yeah, I was just thinking that - he's going to get absolutely hammered when the bubble is burst.

The front office has, without hesitation or shame, flagrantly tanked to this point with the roster moves. The roster is about 80% on pure developmental footing.

That's exactly what Leonsis has said - several times - that is the Wiz' intentions. Rebuild is always among the first words out of his mouth.

I do think people are sleeping on Thornton. He's not a star, but he can be a legit starting 3 entering his prime. When given starter's minutes in LAC in 08/09, he averaged 16.8 and 5.2. That's as good as what Caron Butler did for Dallas last season, and Thornton is a more capable defender who should be helped by Wall.

[Hoopalotta]

People are setting themselves up for crazy disappointment. I don't look forward to the "Flip Saunders must be fired" threads when we're 18-32 at the all-star break....

Yeah, I was just thinking that - he's going to get absolutely hammered when the bubble is burst.

The front office has, without hesitation or shame, flagrantly tanked to this point with the roster moves. The roster is about 80% on pure developmental footing.

That's exactly what Leonsis has said - several times - that is the Wiz' intentions. Rebuild is always among the first words out of his mouth.

I was putting it out there for those who were hoping for the 6th seed - there seems to be a certain level of denial. If I were in charge, I'd have done the same sort of thing.

I do think people are sleeping on Thornton. He's not a star, but he can be a legit starting 3 entering his prime. When given starter's minutes in LAC in 08/09, he averaged 16.8 and 5.2. That's as good as what Caron Butler did for Dallas last season, and Thornton is a more capable defender who should be helped by Wall.

My issue with Thornton is he's not much off the ball or as a flow of the offense kind of guy. I like him, but I think he needs his touches and the starting lineup is pretty high usage already, so we could use more of a spot up shooter.

I'd see the ideal situation being a platoon role with Thornton as the 6th man behind a weaker starter so that he's carrying some of that scoring burden for the second unit (still getting about 24 minutes). The element I like offensively with Thornton and the current starters is mostly with his ability to run.

I do like me some Al Thornton, taking into account that we're not necessarily the favorites in a title run next year. He goes hard.

[Ruzious]

Yeah, Thornton's game is taking it to the rack - which surprises me, because he took a lot of jump shots in college and was a good 3 point shooter. Hopefully, he's watching how Cartier Martin is playing off of Wall and is working on those skills.

[pancakes3]

thornton's smart enough, and more importantly selfless enough a player to be a great cutting SF. for an offensive talent there really is nothing to being a good cutter. you find spaces and go to it, you just don't have ball in tow.

[leswizards]

I do not what to expect, but I think it is conceivable that Wall could give the Wizards a Rookie of the Year season that is as good or better than any of the rookie point guards had last season. Gil could have a 25-30 ppg and 4-6 apg season. Blatche could have a 15 ppg and 8-10 rpg season. Kirk gives the Wizards an above average back up PG/SG. Nick Young, Thornton and Booker combine for an acceptable SF rotation. Javale, Ji, Booker, Seraphim (if he comes over), and Armstrong will most likely form a below average C/backup PF rotation. If all of that comes to pass, I guess it is conceivable the Wizards could make the playoffs and win 30-40 games.