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Washington Wizards: Wizards have fresh start for 2018-19 NBA Season

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 28, 2018 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 28, 2018 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Wizards made a few changes to their roster, including Austin Rivers, Dwight Howard, and Jeff Green. Here’s a breakdown as to why this roster is the best one that they have had in the past couple of years.

Austin Rivers said it best. His arrival on the Washington Wizards represents a fresh start. Not just for the combo guard, not just for the newly acquired Dwight Howard, but for the entire team.

In a recent article, I extolled the virtues of why Howard is an excellent pickup. Why he’s still an athletic big who dominates the paint. He represents a crucial piece that the Wizards have been missing, a formidable presence at the rim.

Yes, the Wizards had a first-round exit last season. But this is a new start. One could keep harping back on the woulda’s, coulda’s and shoulda’s. Or look forward to a new future.

John Wall is one of the best point guards in the NBA. Every guard has its faults. Yes, he committed a few cardinal sins of basketball, which everyone is aware of, and most importantly himself.

But as the saying goes, “every saint has a past, every sinner has a future”.

Wall also recognized that leadership does not take a day off. It’s a heavy price to pay for leadership. But that’s why only a few have reached that pinnacle of success.

Bradley Beal, also the leader of the Washington franchise, had one of the best seasons of his career. But he must have recognized, that he may have played too many minutes, which may have hurt him in the playoffs.

But when these two are clicking, Wall and Beal, they do make up one of the best backcourts in the NBA.

It was just that when Wall was down (injured), Beal was up. Then when Wall returned ready for the postseason, Beal was a little beat up from the heavy minutes in the regular season.

They didn’t get a chance to be on the same page last season.

But once they are on the same page, there will only be a few backcourts that could handle this dangerous duo.

Then there’s our man Otto Porter, Jr. He can shoot lights out with the best of them. Last season, in their first match against Golden State, Porter was the best shooter on the floor.

But as written in the Howard piece, he should have been put on ice in a few regular season games, so he could have ice in his veins in the postseason games.

Porter, we’re ready for you to light up every team in the East and the best in the West next season. You don’t have to be that hustle player next season doing it all, everyone will be a hustler.

Markieff Morris, what can I write, without being called a name? He’s never called me one of course, but I wasn’t a fan of his slow starts. Partly due to him not being a full 100 percent.

I’m probably wrong, but the Celtics wanted a clone of Morris, after he lifted up Al Horford one game and dropped him in Ted Leonsis lap. That’s the type of player teams want.

Morris is a dominant and physical presence that other players fear. He just has to use that for good. Instead of sitting on the scorer’s table, I see Keef lighting up the scoring board. At the very least, preventing others from doing so.

Keef and Howard battling inside the paint, popcorn on deck. If those two can stay out of foul trouble, other teams will be in a lot of trouble.

This is your starting lineup #DCFamily. It may not be the family you wanted, but it’s the family you have. Just like with all families, none are perfect, but you love them just the same.

Austin Rivers, Jeff Green, Kelly Oubre, Jr., Tomas Satoransky and Ian Mahinmi. Any of those players can run with the first unit. Wizards could hit teams with surprise rotations.

The 2018-19 NBA Season represents a fresh start. The Wizards have fight in them again.

There’s no first-unit, second-unit, there’s just one team. Now we’re ready.

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