2007 NBA Season Preview - Washington Wizards

A Look at the Upcoming 07-08 Season

Washington Wizards
'06-'07 Record/Standing: 41-41 (.500); 2^nd in Southeast Division
'06-'07 Postseason (if applicable): lost in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals (4-0 to Cleveland)
Coach (Record): Eddie Jordan, 5^th season (153-175), 7^th overall
Key Additions: G Nick Young (draft; 1st

round, 16^th overall)
Key Losses: SF Jarvis Hayes (FA; Detroit)

There never seems to be a harder team to look at and read than the Washington Wizards on a yearly basis. Many thought that last season would be the year they put it all together and dethrone the Heat as the Southeast division champions. The time was right with the Heat's injuries and early struggles. Of course, the season ended and the Wizards fond themselves in familiar territory; looking up at the Miami Heat in the standings. They got into the postseason and got a rematch with the Cavaliers after last season's thrilling 7-game series. Of course, it was not nearly as close as the Wizards bowed out with only a little more than a whimper while being swept by the eventual Eastern Conference champs. The talent is there on this team; Gilbert Arenas might be one of the top players in the entire league. From top to bottom, they have guys that have either been All-Stars in the NBA or are solid players.

Can the Wizards put it all together this year? Are we just waiting for something that may never come, or have the Wizards been slowly gathering themselves for a big run? What happens this season with Gilbert Arenas? Will another losing effort in the playoffs mean wholesale changes in Washington, or are they committed to this lineup? Where will the Wizards go this season? It's time for the look at the 2007-2008 Wizards.

Projected Starting Lineup ('06-'07 Stats)
PG: Gilbert Arenas (74 gmaes, 28.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 6.0 apg)
SG: DeShawn Stevenson (82 games, 11.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.7 apg)
SF: Caron Butler (63 games, 19.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.7 apg)
PF: Antawn Jamison (70 games, 19.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.9 apg)
C: Brendan Haywood (77 games, 6.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.6 apg)