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The Washington Wizards have accomplished something that, around the beltway, has been a little secret for about a year. But this secret can no longer be kept under wraps because “the cat is out of the bag.” No more can the whispers be: “Are they really that good?” or; “Are they a one-year wonder?” as they were in last year’s playoff run to the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.
This year the team has been one of the best in the Eastern Conference and in the NBA. However, now that the team has hit a tough stretch in their season, there now seems to be a big “BUT” looming. The Wizards have now lost their past four games with tonight’s 95-106 loss in Atlanta, and six out of their past ten.
Is Washington too inexperienced to be a legitimate contender this year? Looking at the way the team is built, perhaps it is a year away from being a true contender for an NBA Championship.
The Wizards’ starting back-court of John Wall and Bradley Beal are a tandem to be reckoned with. Wall, who is only 24-years-old, will be the starting point guard for the Eastern Conference in the upcoming NBA All-Star game. This is quite an accomplishment for the former number-one pick out of Kentucky considering that previous starting All-Star point guards and fellow number-one picks Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers) are now injury free and playing. Wall has clearly surpassed them in his game achievements and effectiveness as a locker room leader.
Beal on the other hand is a mere 21-years-old. He is still developing his overall game to go along with one of the best pure jump shots in all of basketball. Fans should be patient though and give the dynamic duo time to grow from an already potent combo to perhaps the NBA’s undisputed best back-court tandem.
For my money right now, the Golden State Warriors’ two-headed monster of Stef Curry and Klay Thompson possess the belt as the NBA’s best back-court. The difference between these two and Wall and Beal is, that if you polled those of us in the media about both, most know what the “Splash Brothers’” identity is. These guys are obviously scorers. But when speaking of Wall and Beal, this is not so clear.
Wall, for all of his improvement in offensive scoring, is an equally effective player defensively. He is one of the rare point guards in today’s NBA who can actually guard his man and while taking away some of that players strengths.
It is no secret that the NBA is now a guard-oriented league. Most teams in the NBA have a point guard that, on any given night, can drop 40 points on an opponent. The debate about who is the best at the position rages on because there are so many to choose from.
The difference with Wall is that he is a true pass-first point guard in the traditional sense. His 10-assists-per-game leads the NBA to prove this fact. If he and the Wizards are to be genuine contenders, they will have to improve on their offensive efficiency and continue to improve on the defensive side of the ball.
If they can get through this tough stretch and get back to the tough, physical ball they played in last year’s playoff run, they could very well be a year ahead of schedule and make a run in the Eastern Conference.
Center Marcin Gortat will have to find the edge that gave him the nickname “The Polish Hammer.” He has been struggling of late and is such an integral part of this team that his recent issues have thrown the rhythm of the team off.
Look for forwards Nene and Paul Pierce to provide veteran leadership as the second half of the season starts.
