NBA season 2013: FIve darkhorse playoff teams

Washington Wizards

We’re so used to writing off the Wizards that it’s hard to blame anyone for just mentally patting them on the head and telling them that it’s cute that they’re trying to compete in 2013-14. But not so fast. John Wall finished last year impressively, and Bradley Beal had a very encouraging rookie season. If Martell Webster can play like he did last year (read: stay completely healthy, which is something he hasn’t done for much of his career), the Wiz will have a nice wing rotation between he, Trevor Ariza, and this year’s first round pick, Otto Porter, Jr.

Everyone knows how good Nene is, and at the end of last week Washington made a semi-panic trade, swapping a very valuable 2014 first round pick and currently banged-up center Emeka Okafor to Phoenix for Marcin Gortat. Washington understands the need to get off to a fast start, and if they had ran out Kevin Seraphin at the 5-spot for the first couple months of the season, they could have been in trouble.

The Wizards have a legitimate shot at the playoffs this year, but if they still start slowly, don’t be surprised if much-maligned head coach Randy Wittman is let go rather quickly. With Wall, Beal, and Porter running the fast break and Nene doing work down low, this should be a fun team to watch each and every night.