Washington Wizards Playoff Preview

[Giantmetfan07]

 

On Dec. 22, the Washington Post editorial board took a break from actual important matters and called for readers to jump on the Wizards' bandwagon. "Their followers now have reason to hope that, somewhere in this town, there may just be a hall where a hefty Brunnhilde is warming up her pipes for a grand finale," the board wrote, referencing the battle cry of Washington's only championship team in 1978.
 
The Wizards were 19-7 then and John Wall was an MVP candidate. A championship was unlikely, but the franchise was well on its way to its best season since the late 1970s.
 

How it's fallen apart. The Wizards did technically complete their best season since the late 70s, but not after a second-half collapse that's become all too familiar with their fans. Wall and Bradley Beal battled injuries, the unheralded bench turned back into a pumpkin and coach Randy Wittman slunk further into madness, benching Marcin Gortat in several fourth quarters -- while refusing to change his approach to lubricate an ugly offense. The team often appeared to be sleepwalking, as if they've tuned out Wittman and each other.
 
Yet, the Wizards enter the postseason with a favorable matchup against a Raptors team struggling just as badly since an early-season surge. They have talent that came together after an uneven regular season last year. History could certainly repeat itself this season, in which case the second-half woes will be long forgotten.
 
How they beat you
 
The Wizards pride themselves on their defense, to the point where Wittman wouldn't even entertain the thought of the offense being the problem after an blowout loss to the lowly Kings in late March. Washington's defense is indeed good when locked in, thanks to Wall's activity, Nene's smarts and Gortat's underrated rim protection skills. The Wizards' disciplined rotations and positioning seal off the lane. They were just behind Charlotte and Memphis in fewest shots surrendered in the restricted area per game.