What to expect in the second half
1. PLAY THE YOUTH » The Wizards should find consistent minutes for their six young players, none older than 23 — Javaris Crittenton, Nick Young, JaVale McGee, Oleksiy Pecherov, Dominic McGuire and Andray Blatche. Play them, evaluate them, then make decisions on their future. This is the best time to figure out if they are part of the puzzle or should be dealt.
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2. SIT THE VETS » Don’t be surprised if the Wizards use a minor injury as reason to shut down Antawn Jamison or Caron Butler. Both are averaging 38.4 minutes per game. There is no reason these cornerstone players should continue that pace for a lottery-bound team. There’s also no reason to bring back veterans Etan Thomas (knee) or DeShawn Stevenson (back). The Wizards know what they can and can’t do.
3. LOTTO TALK » As the season winds down, talk of the draft lottery will increase. Teams that figure to contend with Washington (8-32) for the top slots include Oklahoma City (8-34), the Los Angeles Clippers (9-31), Sacramento (10-31), Memphis (11-29), Golden State (13-29) and Minnesota (13-26). Oklahoma sophomore Blake Griffin appears to be the top prize and, with his rebounding prowess and physical presence, would be a good fit for the Wizards.
4. TRADE » The Wizards might not be done dealing. In order to sign a high lottery pick they would have to clear some cap space to avoid playing a luxury tax, a luxury that owner Abe Polin has never extended to President Ernie Grunfeld. As the trade deadline approaches next month, the Wizards’ front office will likely be busy.
The crystal ball
» There is little reason to believe that the Wizards will improve in the second half and little reason to believe they should. In the coming weeks, expect the Wizards to announce that Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood will not return. As the team focuses on the future, expect the Wizards’ losing ways to continue, but optimism to increase as fans consider the lottery and a future with a healthy roster. Final record 18-64.
Draft Position » No. 2
Report card
Gilbert Arenas…INC
Will Agent Zero come back this year? Is there any reason for him to return other than to get a few more fans to Verizon Center?
Andray Blatche…C+
Has developed some consistency on offense, but his rebounding, defense, and shot-blocking comes and goes. Still waiting.
Caron Butler…B-
Losing and a shift to backcourt have taken a toll on “Tough Juice.” Numbers are down, and so it seems, his inspirational influence.
Javaris Crittenton…C+
It’s time to just play him and let him develop. Has shown ability to take ball to rim, distribute, and be disrupter on defense.
Juan Dixon…C-
Has slipped further down the bench under new regime. Even Verizon die-hards have stopped chanting “We want Juan.”
Brendan Haywood…INC
Oh how he’s been missed in the middle. Out since October wrist surgery. Expected to be ready by March. But why bring him back now?
Mike James…B-
Has been what the Wizards expected when they traded for him in Dec. Has at least stabilized a trouble spot. Successful patchwork.
Antawn Jamison…A
The Wizards’ epitome of professionalism, effort. Top scorer (20.6 ppg), rebounder (9.1 rpg). Only Wizard deserving All-Star consideration.
JaVale McGee…C
Tantalizing flashes of the future have become more intermittent. The Wiz are hesitant to play him. Why? Perfect time to get some OJT.
Dominic McGuire…B-
Half of Wizards wins have come since the forward moved into lineup a month ago. Makes Wizards better defensively and on boards.
Oleksiy Pecherov…INC
Why did the Wizards pick up his option? If they’re not going to play him in a lost season, when will they ever play the versatile
7-footer?
Darius Songaila…B-
Under Tapscott, Songaila has finally become what Wizards thought they were getting — a limited, reliable, coachable, glue guy.
DeShawn Stevenson…D
All his good qualities — and there are many — can’t mask his horrid shooting (31.8 percent), worst in NBA among players with 100 attempts.
Etan Thomas…D
Was having worst of his seven NBA seasons before knee injury. In a difficult position as starting center coming off heart surgery.
Nick Young…C+
With so many injuries in backcourt, has had great opportunity, but hasn’t seized it. Shows flashes, but confidence, defense still lacking.
Coach » Ed Tapscott…C
Entered under difficult circumstances, leap-frogging higher-placed assistants to take over an injury-riddled team, replacing a popular, highly-respected head coach. Wizards have a 7-22 record under Tapscott, who has handled young players better than his predecessor but has been unable to cure some of the team’s long-standing problems.
