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Washington Wizards 2016-2017 NBA Season Preview: 5 Reasons to Be Optimistic

By Ben Mehic

Mar 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) yells from the players bench against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards won 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) yells from the players bench against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards won 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) stand on the court against the Los Angeles Lakers in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Wall and Beal are still in D.C.

Wall and Beal underachieved last year, and the fans have forgotten how good the duo actually is. There aren’t many teams in the league that have a duo like Washington’s. Both are max players and have produced at a high level in the playoffs. They’re battle tested and both players are in their early 20’s,

Washington’s backcourt is the most talented in the Eastern Conference, but they haven’t always been the best. That title, as of right now, should go to the Toronto Raptors’ backcourt, who led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history last season.

That doesn’t mean the Wizards’ backcourt can’t become the most talented and the best during the 2016-17 season, though.

If Beal can stay healthy, he should make his first All-Star appearance in 2017. He’s worked on his game this off-season with Drew Hanlen and has devoted all of his time to Washington, forgoing a chance to represent the United States in this summer’s Olympics.

Wall is arguably the best point guard in the East. He’s become a perennial All-Star, but he needs help from his backcourt mate. That help might finally come this upcoming season.

Wall and Beal need each other equally and the onus is on them to take the team back to the playoffs. They cannot operate as independent players anymore. They need to find a way to blend their talents together, just like they did in the playoffs last year.

The doom and gloom prophesy shouldn’t be taken seriously yet. As long as Wall and Beal are in D.C., the Washington Wizards are going to be a tough out for every team in the league. Now it’s on them to put it together and take their respective games to the next level.

Next: Hot Take: Wall and Beal Are Not a Championship Duo

Wall and Beal are still very, very good, folks. It’s easy to take them for granted. And that’s the number one reason to stay optimistic for the 2016-17 NBA season.

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