Washington Wizards

Basketball Digest, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Tom Worgo

2003-04 Record: 25-57/Sixth in Atlantic Division * 2004-05 Projection: 38-44 * Coach: Eddie Jordan

WHERE THEY LEFT OFF: No surprise here. In another dismal season, Washington went 25-57, marking the 14th time in 16 years the franchise finished worse than .500. Washington's shining record of futility is matched in major pro sports by only the Los Angeles Clippers and Arizona Cardinals.

NEW FACES: GM Ernie Grunfeld's deal for Antawn Jamison was a coup. He gives Washington something they desperately lacked last season: a consistent inside scorer and rebounder. Grunfeld loves Jamison's unselfish attitude: Jamison accepted a reserve role with the Dallas Mavericks last year and won the league's Sixth Man Award. He'll score more for the Wizards, having averaged 20.2 points in his first five seasons with the Golden State Warriors.

Free-agent signees Samaki Walker and Anthony Peeler will strengthen an inconsistent bench. They'll also provide veteran leadership to a team with nine players aged 26 or younger. Management considered Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner, both Waded in the Jamison deal, bad influences.

ON THE COURT: Bringing in Jamison has Wizards management thinking they can make the playoffs now. Don't expect Kwame Brown and Gilbert Arenas, both only 22, to improve their play enough to make that a reality; too often they crumbled in tight games. It won't be difficult for Walker to steal time from big men Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas. Coach Eddie Jordan also more from his 3s, Jared Jeffries and Jarvis Hayes.

OFF THE COURT: Jordan took Arenas to the New Jersey Nets-New York Knicks playoff series to watch Jason Kidd. He wants his point guard to cut down on his turnovers and pass more than he shoots.

The Jamison deal leaves Washington with more $20 million available for free agents in 2005--but is anyone really interested?

WHY THEY WILL FINISH SECOND: The Southeast is horrible. Yes, having three former Golden State starters--Jamison, Larry Hughes, and Arenas--will be good for team chemistry, but it won't help the Wizards make the playoffs.

ON THE SPOT

KWAME BROWN SET CAREER HIGHS IN points (10.9) and rebounds (7.4) last season, but the Wizards are tired of his inconsistent play. Still, management won't give up on the 22-year-old, because the franchise has been burned by dealing young players before like Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, and Richard Hamilton in the past. Brown should continue to improve with the acquisition of Antawn Jamison.