Where » Siegel Center • Virginia Commonwealth University • Richmond • When » Sept. 29 – Oct. 6
STORY LINES
1. How big of a turnaround is big enough? » “We won 19 games last year,” says Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld. “But I don’t think we look at ourselves as a 19-win team.” It’s a perception that inspired Washington’s offseason, in which Grunfeld signed a proven head coach in Flip Saunders and added three new players (Randy Foye, Mike Miller and Fabricio Oberto), all with experience as NBA starters. While not quite ready to pronounce themselves capable of Boston’s run two seasons ago, when the Celtics went from 24-58 to 66-16 and NBA title. The Wizards aren’t afraid to have that kind of goal in mind.
2. The long-awaited return of Agent Zero » Gilbert Arenas went nearly the entire preseason without speaking to the media, and it was Andre Iguodala’s Twitter account that first confirmed his return to full fitness after three knee surgeries and nearly two full missed seasons, pronouncing during midsummer that Arenas “is back like he left his black [American Express] card!” Having rediscovered his speed, quickness, and explosiveness — he never lost the insatiable competitive drive — the All-Star point guard should thrive under Saunders. But contending for All-NBA recognition needs to be just as important as becoming the team leader required to get Washington back to the playoffs.
3. Shooting guard showdown » While four of Washington’s five starting positions are locks — Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood — a battle royale is expected at the two guard. History would say that it’s DeShawn Stevenson’s to lose, given his consecutive 82-game seasons there before back problems reduced him to 25 starts last season. But the organization brought in Miller (6-foot-8 and a career 40.1 percent 3-point shooter) and Foye (16.3 ppg in 2008-09) for a reason, and Nick Young’s summer has given rise to comparisons to Richard Hamilton. With Saunders admitting his preference for an eight- or nine-man rotation, the fight for minutes will be fierce.
FIVE WIZARDS TO WATCH
Caron Butler, G/F
After earning an All-Star nod alongside Arenas in 2006-07, Butler averaged more than 20 points, six rebounds and four assists to become the face of the franchise in each of Arenas’s two lost seasons to injury. He’ll have to strike a balance between the player he was before Arenas went down and who he’s become since.
Antawn Jamison, F
As understated as ever, Jamison will be expected to deliver no less than the nearly 20 points and eight rebounds he has averaged his entire career. At 33 years old, the challenge for the third piece of the Wizards’ All-Star triangle is on the defensive end, and he should find support in Washington’s newfound depth.
Brendan Haywood, C
He was set to blossom into one of the NBA’s premier centers before a wrist injury derailed last season. In a contract year, Haywood will be anxious to prove he is back and able to make the leap. With his nemesis, Etan Thomas, gone, Haywood’s backup becomes Fabricio Oberto, a veteran who knows nothing if not how to win.
JaVale McGee, F/C
There’s no question about the potential of the athletic 7-footer, who was rewarded after a string of dominating performances in Las Vegas Summer League games with an invitation to a USA Basketball minicamp. But after an erratic rookie season, this year he’ll need discipline to carve a place into the Wizards’ rotation.
Flip Saunders, Coach
He never doubted he’d be back in the NBA after getting fired by Detroit, and his year out of the league only strengthened his coaching convictions. But while 50 wins in six of his previous seven seasons are nice, what Saunders needs is one more crack at the hurdle that’s vanquished him three times already, the Eastern Finals.
