Washington Wizards: Still Learning How to Win

The Washington Wizards came into the 2013-14 season believing that they could be a playoff team. All of the pieces were in place to take the next step as a young up-and-coming basketball team. This was the same group that, although they did not qualify for the NBA playoffs last year, they beat every team that participated in last year’s Eastern Conference playoffs. That is a list that includes the world champion Miami Heat.

Optimism was flowing freely before the season began as evidenced by team Owner Tedd Leonsis’ statement:

“I think that all of our focus, all of our attention is to make the playoffs this year.”

That was and is the sentiment amongst the fan base who felt that if injuries had not ravaged this team last year, perhaps they could have been a playoff team then.

This year however has not been the start that excited that same fan base or that even gives them hope that times have changed in the Nation’s Capital. The Wizards, coming off of a mini-Midwest road trip, lost a heart breaking overtime thriller to Oklahoma City Thunder 106-105, followed that up with lackluster performances against a retooled Dallas Mavericks team 105-95 and then lost to the veteran-laden San Antonio Spurs 92-79.

For the Washington Wizards to reach their lofty goal of making the playoffs, they will have to learn that they can not afford to take games off. That is the difference between them and the Heat, Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls of the NBA world… the teams that the Wizards aspire to be like and perhaps meet up with in the playoffs.

There is no question that Washington has improved its talent base. And one could hope that, if the players can stay healthy for a full season, 45 or more wins is possible. But, if this team continues to lose, the pressure will mount and the boo birds will resurface at the Verizon Center. Fans are so accustomed to losing — even after getting their hopes up — that they will remain in a “wait-and-see” mode.

The Washington Wizards’ clock is ticking and their dreams of getting back to the playoffs may be slipping away just 3 weeks into the season. After playing 12 games last season before they won their first contest (Portland 84-82), another slow start this year (2-6) could be cause for alarm. The talent is in place and an extremely young team will need its veteran players to keep the ship on the right course.

Perhaps top draft pick Otto Porter (forward) will regain his health. Then this team can finally put all of its pieces on the floor and be what they think they are — a playoff team.