Washington Wizards End of Year Wrap Up.

Predicted Outcome: 42-40, fourth place Southeast Division
Currently: 21-57, fifth place Southeast Division (4 games left)

If any team had promise entering the season, it had to be the Washington Wizards. They came into the season with a newly revamped roster that was two players deep in every position. Gilbert Arenas was finally healthy and looked ready to start earning his fat paycheck. Andray Blatche emerged from the shadows after last season’s trade deadline to become the team’s new go to guy. The same went for Javale McGee as he wowed many observers with his performance during his tryout four Team USA basketball. Along with selecting Kentucky’s John Wall, the Wizard acquired solid defender and perimeter shooting Kirk Hinrich from the Chicago Bulls. Include the off-season addition of Chinese prospect Yi Jianlian, the Wizards looked to erase last season’s debacle filled with embarrassment and scandal and replace it with a fresh new team that was geared to making the playoffs.

Unfortunately that never happened. The Wizards stumbled out of the gate starting the season 5-13. Gilbert Arenas never returned to his previous form as his play continued to decline bringing down the rest of them. One of last season’s major trade deadline acquisitions—Josh Howard from the Dallas Mavericks—injured himself in the preseason and was lost for the season. Javale McGee never showed the effort nor performance that he showed in the summer. And Andray Blatche came into the season out of shape and out of sorts. While playing he seemed very lazy and disinterested and became more of a hindrance than help. By the end of November, what little optimism that Wizards fans had all but disappeared. (. . . continued)