The two biggest factors when Gary Neal chose to sign with the Washington Wizards once the NBA’s moratorium ended dealt with ability to compete and proximity to home. In a conference call with the media, Neal was able to explain why Washington was the perfect destination for himself based on these two reasons.
“I think the biggest thing that stood out to was getting back to a team that had playoff expectations. For the teams that I had on my list, Washington was at the top of that list. Also, having an opportunity to play with a pass first, very good point guard in John Wall, and also being from Baltimore to have a chance to come back home. Those are the two things I was really looking for. I was looking for a team that was actually playing for something and had expectations, and I was looking for a roster that was suitable and could help my skill set. I think I found those two in the Wizards and also just the icing on the cake being 30 minutes from where I grew up.”
All NBA players obviously want to win and compete for championships, which makes playing in Washington a perfect scenario for any free agent. The Wizards are on the rise, and luckily for them, Neal noticed that and figured he could be a solid part of their championship contention.
Not everybody gets an opportunity to play at home in front of the hometown fans, which makes it even more special when players choose to return to where they grew up. Neal played college basketball at Towson and was born in Baltimore, so he is sure to get some love from the local fans in DC.
With players like Neal and LeBron choosing to go home, it’s impossible for me to end this article without talking about Kevin Durant. His situation may be a bit different from this one, but iff he could choose to do exactly what Neal just did, Washington could have a roster with more than one home-grown hero.
