Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards: What happened to the Wizards in 2017-18

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: Washington Wizards guards John Wall (2) and Bradley Beal (3) reacts as the Chicago Bulls calls a timeout during first half action at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC on March 17, 2017. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: Washington Wizards guards John Wall (2) and Bradley Beal (3) reacts as the Chicago Bulls calls a timeout during first half action at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC on March 17, 2017. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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If the Washington Wizards want to be the team from the 2016-17 NBA season, they have to remember one thing.

I couldn’t put my finger on what happened to the Washington Wizards for the 2017-18 NBA season. But the 2016-17 season for Washington was so much fun.

They were fighting to get to the top and fighting for respect.

They almost got to the top. Starting that season off 2-8 and ending it one game away from the Eastern Conference Finals.

They got the respect—more nationally televised games.

But this season, they stopped fighting for each other and against other teams.

2016-17 was a fun and magical season. From the Bradley Beal flop, where he would fly half court after someone just passed by in his direction. Whether the person was on his team or not.

To John Wall pulling up his shorts higher as if he’s about to send Jae Crowder into the Boston Harbor.

From Markieff Morris calling Paul Millsap a crybaby. To Keef actually picking up Al Horford like a baby.

From going up against Cleveland pound for pound. To the Wizards stating that Cleveland didn’t want to see them in the first round.

Win or lose there was an edge and fight to this team.

They fought every inch of the way in 2016-17. Not a physical fight, they did that as well.

But a competitive fight which stated, I don’t care who you are. If you’re from around the way or the Bay, we’re going to compete for 48 minutes.

However, the Wizards came into the 2017-18 season with the mindset that they didn’t have to fight anymore. With Beal stating, “that we have a target on our back”. They did not.

They started the preseason as if the postseason was their right.

It was as if during the regular season, they were just biding their time till the playoffs started.

That was their mistake. Believing they didn’t have to fight anymore. That that they earned a 2018 playoff spot because of what they did in the previous season.

Nothing is handed to you in this league except a loss.

It’s not that the Wizards forgot how to fight—they forgot that they had to.

There were three ingredients that the 2016-17 team had—they fought, had fun, and were a family on the court.

None of those ingredients were present this season, which made for a losing recipe.

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