2012-2013 do Wizards tank or go for the win?

[MikeTheKid]

Why tank when next year's draft only has Nerlens Noel, Shabazz Muhammad and Cody Zeller

[Rafael122]

If Indiana doesn't match Hibbert's contract, if Dwight goes to Brooklyn, Atlanta's rebuilding is underway, that's 3 potential playoff spots opening up. And Wizards would outright be the 2nd best team in the Southeast Division and probably make the playoffs.

6th seed isn't out of the realm of possibility, wouldn't be surprised if its a 5th seed.

[REDardWIZskin]

If Indiana doesn't match Hibbert's contract, if Dwight goes to Brooklyn, Atlanta's rebuilding is underway, that's 3 potential playoff spots opening up. And Wizards would outright be the 2nd best team in the Southeast Division and probably make the playoffs.

6th seed isn't out of the realm of possibility, wouldn't be surprised if its a 5th seed.

It depends on Johns "leap", how good Beals is out of the gate and how he progresses during the season, whether or not JC can be an effective offensive boost on a structured team, if the complementary Ariza from LA will show up. BUT most importantly the general health of the team. In other words, a lot would have to happen but I agree Raf.

[mohammed10]

If Indiana doesn't match Hibbert's contract, if Dwight goes to Brooklyn, Atlanta's rebuilding is underway, that's 3 potential playoff spots opening up. And Wizards would outright be the 2nd best team in the Southeast Division and probably make the playoffs.

6th seed isn't out of the realm of possibility, wouldn't be surprised if its a 5th seed.

Indiana's reported to be matching. Dwight moving to Brooklyn is a wash (Orlando out, NJ in the playoffs). So really, only ONE playoff spot may be available from that scenario...

[montestewart]

Why tank when next year's draft only has Nerlens Noel, Shabazz Muhammad and Cody Zeller

The Wizards have to many passable-to-decent players, with the young players having another year of experience and a proper offseason and training camp. I can't see them pulling off a credible tank.

As for the depth of the draft, it's kind of early to write it off. I'll wait to hear from Dat2U, CCJ, and some of the others before I go calling it a three person draft.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

teh Wiz are done tanking. At some point a team has to play and do its best. This is competitive sport god damn it! The trades done + the state of the roster indicate that they will play to win. Sure it might not come up to much, they might not reach the POs, but you have to try, endless tanking can only do so much good.

Thirty-five wins is the mason dixon line of success vs failure as far as I am concerned for all that EG/Ted have done this offseason. If they can win 35 games that should be good for at least 10th, but probably 9th in the east. I am an easy grader, despite my bitter rants. I am pretty forgiving. If this group manages 35 wins that means they've been competitive most nights and won their share of games.

I can't expect too much more from Okafor (6 total playoff games played, career) and Ariza (declining stats and Okafor's teammate the last 2-3 years). They come from losing situations just like Foye and Miller. This time, instead of getting UFAs the Wizards get big contracts for two seasons. The deals are trade-able, perhaps. They got defenders and a rebounder. The team can use Okafor's rebounding if it returns to form. Okafor can finish inside.

Honestly, I EXPECT the team will win 42 or so games. Okafor at C with Nene at PF should be solid most nights. Ariza will perhaps find his range and hopefully be like he was with the Lakers. John Wall can go from 3% to 30%+ on threes. Brad Beal is going to be a stud … eventually. I think there is reason to expect big improvements.

The problem is other teams got better and are still better on the wings and at PG.

[hands11]

They should defiantly tank again.

All they have to do is send Wall, Beal, Nene, Booker, Ves, Kevin, and Okafor to the DL

Just run with this roster and they can do it.

Mack
Crawford
Trevor A/Martin
C Singleton
Dray

Just play a 6 man line up the entire year.
Send Randy down to the D League with them and let Sam coach.

[mohammed10]

They should defiantly tank again.

All they have to do is send Wall, Beal, Nene, Booker, Ves, Kevin, and Okafor to the DL

Just run with this roster and they can do it.

Mack
Crawford
Trevor A/Martin
C Singleton
Dray

Just play a 6 man line up the entire year.
Send Randy down to the D League with them and let Sam coach.

Just have them all report to the team physician...

Problem solved!

[Ruzious]

teh Wiz are done tanking. At some point a team has to play and do its best. This is competitive sport god damn it! The trades done + the state of the roster indicate that they will play to win. Sure it might not come up to much, they might not reach the POs, but you have to try, endless tanking can only do so much good.

Thirty-five wins is the mason dixon line of success vs failure as far as I am concerned for all that EG/Ted have done this offseason. If they can win 35 games that should be good for at least 10th, but probably 9th in the east. I am an easy grader, despite my bitter rants. I am pretty forgiving. If this group manages 35 wins that means they've been competitive most nights and won their share of games.

I can't expect too much more from Okafor (6 total playoff games played, career) and Ariza (declining stats and Okafor's teammate the last 2-3 years). They come from losing situations just like Foye and Miller. This time, instead of getting UFAs the Wizards get big contracts for two seasons. The deals are trade-able, perhaps. They got defenders and a rebounder. The team can use Okafor's rebounding if it returns to form. Okafor can finish inside.

Honestly, I EXPECT the team will win 42 or so games. Okafor at C with Nene at PF should be solid most nights. Ariza will perhaps find his range and hopefully be like he was with the Lakers. John Wall can go from 3% to 30%+ on threes. Brad Beal is going to be a stud … eventually. I think there is reason to expect big improvements.

The problem is other teams got better and are still better on the wings and at PG.

35 wins is not a legitimate goal. That's failure - especially when the owner has said rebuilding is over, and they've acquired 2 13 mil a year bigs.

[Ashburn Dave]

The tank is empty. Our OKC model is complete (at least on paper). We have our number 1 pick in Wall, 3 in Beal and 6 in Ves.

Time for the Wiz (Bullets) to get back into the game.

[mohammed10]

The tank is empty. Our KC model is complete (at least on paper). We have our number 1 pick in Wall, 3 in Beal and 6 in Ves.

Time for the Wiz (Bullets) to get back into the game.

Well I guess that means:

John Wall = Nate Archibald (or Phil Ford)
Brad Beal = Otis Birdsong
Jan Vesely = Reggie King?

JK - I suspect you meant to say OKC model, after the Thunder. Personally, I think we are a long way from that, but we're trending in the right direction

[zardsfan]

Time to park the tank and get on the bus... free cool-aid served in the rear.

[montestewart]

35 wins is not a legitimate goal. That's failure - especially when the owner has said rebuilding is over, and they've acquired 2 13 mil a year bigs.

It would have depended on Wall and Vesely working on their jump shots during the offseason and some success in the draft (2 or 3 picks, not one), but 35 wins or so seemed a reasonable expectation before the trade with New Orleans. That trade should put us closer to .500, or it's not living up to its hype. 42 wins seems to be closer to CCJ's reasonable expectation.

[TheKingOfVa360]

The tank is over, it's time to make a playoff push. We have a real solid starting line up. We need Wall to take that 3rd year leap that Drose and Westbrook took. He has to have a decent jump shot this season and extend his range to the 3 point line. We also need Vesely to improve his shot (it looks a lot better in SL). If we can have some luck with health we can win 42 games, that should be enough to make the playoffs.

[hands11]

teh Wiz are done tanking. At some point a team has to play and do its best. This is competitive sport god damn it! The trades done + the state of the roster indicate that they will play to win. Sure it might not come up to much, they might not reach the POs, but you have to try, endless tanking can only do so much good.

Thirty-five wins is the mason dixon line of success vs failure as far as I am concerned for all that EG/Ted have done this offseason. If they can win 35 games that should be good for at least 10th, but probably 9th in the east. I am an easy grader, despite my bitter rants. I am pretty forgiving. If this group manages 35 wins that means they've been competitive most nights and won their share of games.

I can't expect too much more from Okafor (6 total playoff games played, career) and Ariza (declining stats and Okafor's teammate the last 2-3 years). They come from losing situations just like Foye and Miller. This time, instead of getting UFAs the Wizards get big contracts for two seasons. The deals are trade-able, perhaps. They got defenders and a rebounder. The team can use Okafor's rebounding if it returns to form. Okafor can finish inside.

Honestly, I EXPECT the team will win 42 or so games. Okafor at C with Nene at PF should be solid most nights. Ariza will perhaps find his range and hopefully be like he was with the Lakers. John Wall can go from 3% to 30%+ on threes. Brad Beal is going to be a stud … eventually. I think there is reason to expect big improvements.

The problem is other teams got better and are still better on the wings and at PG.

35 wins is not a legitimate goal. That's failure - especially when the owner has said rebuilding is over, and they've acquired 2 13 mil a year bigs.

Yeah. They will win at least 36.

Unless they go for the tanks again.

But seriously. A lot is riding on Wall shoulders this year. Unless they get a vet back up or Beal and Crawford can man some back PG. If Wall goes down, who is the PG. Mack ? Please.

But I think they will get that back up PG thing taken care of and do what I have been saying, MAKE THE PLAYOFFS