Wizards Playoff Blueprint

Most recently, the Washington Wizards have been a team at the bottom of the NBA totem pole. The Wizards have been below .500 since the 2008-2009 NBA season. With the new season, just about a month away, the Washington Wizards are a young team with a lot of potential. Here is a blue print for this year’s regular NBA season on how the Wizards can make the playoffs and change their league identity.

JOHN WALL LIVES UP TO MAX CONTRACT

Courtesy: Washington Post

This offseason, John Wall re-signed with the Washington Wizards over a deal that is worth 5 years and $80 Million. Currently, Wall is the face of the Washington franchise. This new contract was given to keep the face of the franchise; along with expectations of level of play and competition from John Wall.

For the Wizards to make the playoffs, John Wall will need to be spectacular all season long and live up to his new contract deal. This is Wall’s fourth year in the league; he is currently averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.0APG, 4.4RPG and 1.5STLPG. John Wall’s numbers have been increasing since he entered the league. This season, Wall will need to put up near double-digit numbers in points and assist to help the Wizards be playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Wall has told the media that he believes the Wizards are equipped with the pieces to make the playoffs. Right now, John Wall is the most important piece to completing the playoff puzzle. Recently, I ranked John Wall #5 on my Top 10 Point Guard list, which can be read here: http://bit.ly/13W9X14  . Wall earned that spot because of his ability to score; along with, his defensive and offensive quickness.

John Wall is already the franchise face of the Wizards. What he needs to do next is establish himself as commander of their team. He needs to step up and completely fill the leader role. For years, the Wizards lacked a commanding leader. This season, I’m planning on this 22 year doing that. He was the number one overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, nothing less should be expected. This will be the year that Wall fully lives up to his potential.

BRADLEY BEAL BECOMES WASHINGTON’S SCORING STAR

Bradley Beal is preparing to enter his second season in the NBA. As a rookie, Bradley Beal averaged 13.9PPG, 2.4APG and 3.8RPG. Beal has a great athletic ability to score. He is a solid shooter. Last season, he shot 41.0% from 2-point range and 38.6% from 3-points range. I believe that Beal possesses the ability to become of the NBA’s best shooters.

What Beal needs to improve is his dribbling ability. He needs to come up with creative moves that will allow him to fake defenders and help him get open.

Washington will need to give Beal more looks and he needs to become their “fourth quarter guy”. This season, I am expecting Beal to be at least number two in shots taken per game. During his rookie campaign, he showed us that he can shoot. He nailed a game winner against the Thunder, a buzzer beater against the Nets and had a game with six 3-pointers. The talent is there, Beal just needs to continue fine-tuning his technique and offensive skills. This year, it should be no shock to fans to see Beal score at least 20 points every other night.

HAVE A SOLID FORWARD SQUAD

The Wizards have been in need of good big men for the longest time. It feels like they have been doomed at the forward spot ever since drafting Kwame Brown in the 2001 NBA draft.  Nene will need to stay healthy and play at least 67+ games for them this season. Nene is looking healthier though.  In the 61 games he played last season, Nene contributed 12.6PPG and 6.9RPG.  These are decent numbers but the Wizards will need more rebounds from him this upcoming season.

Last season the Wizards finished 8^th in rebounds per game averaging 43.2RPG. This is a solid statistics seeing out of the top ten rebounding teams, the Wizards were the only one to not make the playoffs.  This is because the Wizards finished 9^th to last in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game only averaging 10.8RPG. This season, Wizards forwards will need to get more offensive rebounds, to allow for second chance points. If the Wizards get more second opportunities, their scoring will increase and so will their win to loss record. This task falls on the shoulders of Emeka Okafor.

The Wizards did a good job in signing Al Harrington. This was a sneaky signing that did not receive a lot of attention but will carry a big impact in Washington. Harrington pretty much guarantees the Wizards with 10PPG off the pine. It is important for the Wizards to have a big man they can trust with providing an inside offensive presence. Harrington is a dominant forward; whom I believe is not done making a difference in this league. Harrington has publically told media he plans on helping the Wizards make the playoffs. His veteran confidence will provide much help to this young team.

The last forward I want to mention is Otto Porter.  He was the third overall draft pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Porter is going into his rookie year and will most likely start for Washington. Porter is 6’9” with a wingspan of 7’1”. His presence on the court cannot be ignored. Porter has the potential to be the Wizards Tayshaun Prince.

AVOID INJURIES AT ALL COST

The Wizards were a different team depending on who was on the floor. Between John Wall, Bradley Beal, Nene and others; the Wizards were literally hurting last season. To simply put it, the Wizards need to stay healthy all season long to capture a playoff appearance. Last season, Wall missed 33 games and it caused the Wizards to lose tremendously. Beal missed the end of the season and didn’t get to play much alongside Wall. Beal only played in 56 games last season. Now that Nene, Wall and Beal are all healthy and ready for the season, it will be interesting to see what they can accomplish.

USA Today’s Sports recently ranked the Washington Wizards #12 on their NBA Watchability Rankings. It will be an interesting season for the Wizards. If they stay on track, they have a good chance of making the playoffs.

All statistics credited to basketball-reference.com