The hopes of a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference have long since faded away. Even the faint prospect of grabbing the eighth seed with a losing record is no more than a blip on the horizon. A second straight NBA draft lottery seems much more likely.
“By the All-Star break, I thought we should be right in the thick of things,” said Caron Butler on Monday. “We could still have. We let a lot of close games slip through our fingers.”
Instead, the best thing the Wizards can do with their last 32 games of the season is to try and separate themselves from what transpired over the first 50, because it was horrific, nearly matching the awful New Jersey Nets, except for a few more victories.
Washington has had some bright spots, including a career year for Brendan Haywood, inspired play at times from Mike Miller and reliable contributions of Antawn Jamison.
But indications remain that Washington could make wholesale changes before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 18. Our first-half grades support that plan.
Gilbert Arenas
Remember when there were only concerns about Arenas’ knee? Ah, the good ol’ days. The Wizards would take that insecurity in a heartbeat over what actually happened in December.
Grade » F
Antawn Jamison
Season might have started better if he had been healthy. Jamison’s significant, steady numbers (20.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg) have also begun to trail off, leading to durability concerns if he doesn’t get traded.
Grade » B+
Caron Butler
Undercut as team leader by the return of Arenas. Moments like those that made Butler into an All-Star have been few and far between. Reported interest from Houston, Dallas and Portland.
Grade » C-
Brendan Haywood
Statistically (9.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg) having one of the best seasons of his career — makes sense because it’s a contract year. Also makes the longest tenured Wizard a likely trade target.
Grade » B+
Mike Miller
He’s the epitome of unselfishness, literally to a fault. But a banged up shoulder and calf limited him to 21 games. Needs to shoot more and jump in the lane looking to pass less.
Grade » B-
Earl Boykins
Emergency signing has been a critical factor in a couple of victories and a reliable backup point guard no matter the adversity. The bar doesn’t get set much higher when you’re 5-foot-5.
Grade » B
Randy Foye
Foye went from backing up Arenas to no man’s land after Boykins arrived and then to starting point guard with Arenas gone. His play (10.2 ppg, 2.7 apg) has been similarly up and down, but he’s trying to get it right.
Grade » C
Andray Blatche
Blatche changed his number this season, but not much else. For every 30-point masterpiece, there’s also a misbehavior-prompted suspension likely.
Grade » C-
Nick Young
Still defined by whether his first shot of the night goes in, and not defense or effort. Doesn’t make for a strong upside.
Grade » D+
DeShawn Stevenson
He’s had some moments of solid defense interspersed with an awful jumpshot created by last year’s back injury.
Grade » C-
JaVale McGee, Fabricio Oberto, Dominic McGuire, Mike James
The grades wouldn’t be good if these guys had played more. Oberto and James have to be frustrated to have a season like this on the back end of their careers. McGee and McGuire are supposed to be building blocks for the future. Supposed to be.
Grade » Incomplete
Javaris Crittenton
Any sympathy for the guard over the foot injury he suffered during preseason is definitely gone.
Grade » F
