Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: A Season of Change

By Jen Julie Smith

Washington Wizards John Wall Bradley Beal (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Washington Wizards John Wall Bradley Beal (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 25: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards goes for a lay up during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 25, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 25: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards goes for a lay up during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 25, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Wizards preparing to take the crown

Beal has taking it a step further, and believes that the Wizards are now the best team in the East. Basketball is mental as much as it is physical. It’s a very good sign, that the House of Guards possess such a winning mentality.

However as any guard knows – to become king one must still beat the King. Wall spent his offseason conditioning his body for battle, so his legs won’t give way as they did last season. While this mostly young Washington team, is now coming into their own.

Last February, the Wizards almost beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, but for LeBron James’ circus shot 3-pointer, sending the game into overtime. That game was not only a classic, but one of the best games in the NBA last season.

Cleveland won two of the three matches last year. Nonetheless, Wall and Beal still believe, that the Wizards would have been the better matchup against the CAVS, instead of Boston.

According to Wall, the Wizards gave Cleveland the ‘hardest time in the East’. Thus, the Cavaliers didn’t want to see Washington, until the conference finals. Whether that’s true or not, doesn’t matter.

What matters is that the Wizards have confidence. And the belief that they will meet Cleveland in postseason battle, to take away their crown.

Although the starting lineup has remained the same, what has changed are the Wizards’ goals. They are not only shooting for a great season this year, but to be counted among the greats. In the words of Russell Westbrook – why not?

There was another change this offseason. Verizon Center’s name was recently changed to Capital One Arena. The Wizards’ arena nickname, the phone booth, no longer applied. Washington is now accepting applications for a new moniker.

Beating Cleveland in the playoffs isn’t a lock. However, the Wizards have found the keys of success, in their drive towards the Eastern Conference Finals – and a shot at the crown.

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