Washington Wizards 2015-16 NBA season preview
By Tom West
Previewing the 2015-16 Washington Wizards.
The Washington Wizards seem to remain relevant in the Eastern Conference, yet they fail to surpass the stature of a mediocre team. They have an elite backcourt in John Wall and Bradley Beal (when they’re both healthy and available) and an intimidating frontcourt in Nene Hilario and Marcin Gortat. All told, it’s one of the better starting units in the NBA. However, despite cruising through the first round in each of the last two seasons, the Wizards have well and truly peaked in the second round.
In the last two years, they’ve won 44 and 46 games respectively, which has rewarded them with a solid standing of 5th place in the East in both seasons. But that’s the problem. It’s just average. The Wizards pose a threat to any team come playoff time, but they haven’t had the potential to do any more than that.
In 2013-14, they surprisingly dismissed the Chicago Bulls with ease after taking the first round 4-1. The duo of Nene and Gortat looked dominant, and the Wizards seemed as though they could make some more noise in the second round. Then they put up a fight against the Indiana Pacers and lost 4-2 in the second round.
Once more in 2014-15, the Wizards cruised through the first round by defeating the Toronto Raptors 4-0. As they progressed to the second round, though, the depth and team play of the Atlanta Hawks proved to be too much as they lost 4-2 – no matter how many clutch shots and buzzer beaters Paul Pierce buried.
Genuine contention just seems out of their reach.
Now that Bradley Beal is back after only playing 63 games last season, the Wizards have their budding young star to drain threes and complete their troublesome backcourt. Even the addition of rookie Kelly Oubre and promising signs of development from Otto Porter Jr. are encouraging. Plus, after adding more perimeter players to offer improved three point shooting, the Wizards have a respectable roster.
Is it enough, though?
With the East remaining strong after the stellar offseason of the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers nearing full health, the talent of the Bulls (even if Derrick Rose can’t stay healthy), and the threat (albeit a slightly less scary one) of the Atlanta Hawks, the question remains as to whether or not the Wizards are capable of doing anything to stand out.
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