Washington Wizards: Will the 2017-2018 Wizards finally unbreak D.C.’s heart?

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 12: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

D.C. sports fans have suffered crushing defeats over the years, the 2017-18 Washington Wizards have heard their cries and are on a quest to the Eastern Conference Finals.

With the arrival of the NBA season, there’s an excitement level among fans, that has not been rivaled since the early 2000’s. The Washington Wizards are on a very short list of contenders in the Eastern conference.

That is an exciting statement, but also one that carries with it extreme trepidation. Why? The recent and not so recent history of utter futility of the franchises in Washington D.C., gives fans pause to fully embrace a team here. But, here for the world to see is the truth – the 2017-2018 Wizards are not like the other teams in D.C.

You’ve seen the statistics, Washington D.C. has not had a conference final appearance from the big four sports since 1998. That’s 69 seasons. ESPN’s SportsCenter tweeted a large photo to highlight the city’s sports drought. John Wall promptly “liked” the tweet.

Washington D.C.'s streak without a conference title goes back to 1998, the longest active streak in sports. pic.twitter.com/QNyvaQMcTi
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 13, 2017

Wall represents the biggest reason that the Wizards can separate themselves from the other local teams. He is the best athlete in town. Some may argue that assessment is unfair to the Redskin’s Kirk Cousins, the Nationals’ Bryce Harper, and the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin. Wall also wants to be here. He loves the city. He represents the city.

Wall said, that this was home and put his name to it this summer, when he signed his max extension. D.C.’s best hope for a conference final breakthrough rests with Wall and Co.

Before one points out that the Wizards have also had their share of playoff heartbreak, let’s acknowledge one overlooked factor: The Wizards haven’t been favorites in the Wall era.

The Wizards bowing out to Boston, Atlanta, and Indiana, although terribly frustrating, wasn’t as crushing as the Nationals fell to the Chicago Cubs. The heartbreak is still there and it still hurts. But not so much, because the Wizards haven’t been the overwhelming favorites for the last half decade. However, that all changes this year.

Embrace your Washington Wizards. Embrace Wall and Bradley Beal, one of the league’s most formidable backcourts. Embrace Otto Porter. Embrace Kelly Oubre and all the head scratching moments he will provide this season. Embrace the bench. Embrace 50 wins which will happen for the first time in like a zillion years. Embrace it all. Don’t listen to those who predict early heartbreak for the Wizards come playoff time.

They built up their bench, and Jason Smith and Ian Mahinmi are forces in their own right.

This is the beginning of a magical season in Washington. There will be some games that will leave you frustrated, but the Wizards are asking its fans to have faith in them. They’re on a mission this season to reach the conference finals.

The Wizards were only one game away from the Eastern Conference Finals last season. That game 7 loss is what’s driving the team this year. They have returned better and stronger. This year they’re not fighting for the name on the back of their jersey, but what’s in front.