Following a rollercoaster 2017-18 campaign which concluded with their being bounced in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Washington Wizards pieced together a surprisingly solid offseason.
Washington was able to rid themselves of the horrid Marcin Gortat contract while acquiring a contributor in Austin Rivers and also added center Dwight Howard. On top of that, the Wizards inked free agents Jeff Green and Thomas Bryant while all-star point guard John Wall also appears fully healthy following an injury-riddled 2018. Wall knows how important of a year this is for not only the franchise but his career.
As opposed to previous years where Wall and the Wizards often vocalized their accomplishments, the five-time all-star told NBC Sports’ Chris Miller that Washington will talk much less this year and focus more on their play.
“We want to go out with a different mindset and a different focus. We’re not trying to go in and think we’re a team that has already established something and got respect from people. We have to earn that respect and that means going out and competing every night against the good teams or the bad teams.”
Though the Wizards are perennial postseason threats in a weak Eastern Conference, they have yet to put the pieces together to go on a bonafide playoff run.
However, this revamped Wizards team may be the best roster Washington has had in recent memory and Wall said as much when asked if this is the most complete team he’s ever played with.
“Yeah, for sure. I definitely think so. I think it gives us the opportunity where we don’t have to play as many minutes. That’s the key. At the end of the year, you kind of fall short because you’re fatigued. Nobody uses that as an excuse. You play and try to get into the best shape possible. But if you’re playing 24 minutes, the whole half, and then 24 minutes and the whole half, you kind of get tired at some point. I think those guys can take a little of the burden and pressure off of us at times.”
Coming off a disappointing season that has skeptics raising questions, John Wall is re-motivated to come back better than ever and carry Washington deep into the playoffs, something that isn’t out the realm of possibility.
With a substantially weaker Eastern Conference, the Wizards serve as a sort of darkhorse contender to at least make it to the Conference Finals. While the Celtics are the early favorites, Washington has most of the requisite pieces to make a memorable run, especially with their bolstered frontcourt that was once devoid of talent and depth.
