The Washington Wizards caught fire last season. Especially when the Playoffs drew nearer. At the start of last season they were considered lucky to even get to the Playoffs. By the end of the 2013-14 regular season, people like Bill Simmons had them going to the Eastern Conference Finals. And I was one of those people. But then they faced Indiana and you know the rest.
Washington have made some moves since then. Most notably, hiring the services of veteran Paul Pierce who had the option to go to the Clippers. But decided to go the Capitol.
In a Q&A with NBA.com’s David Aldridge, Paul Pierce talked about Washington’s unfortunate loss to Indiana. Saying they should’ve bagged the series and headed off to the Conference Finals.
They probably should have beat Indiana. Everybody thought they should have beat Indiana. I was like, they have one of the best backcourts in basketball. They’re lacking experience, a guy in the locker room and on the court that can help end games. I was like, I probably can fit in. After LeBron said he was going back to Cleveland, the dynamics of the Eastern Conference, with Indiana, I was like, this is a team that could be in the Eastern Conference finals, or possibly the Finals, based on what’s here. And adding me to some of the other veterans they added, I was like, why not?
Brooklyn clearly didn’t try hard enough to get him back. I think Paul Pierce knows he upgraded in terms of what team he’s now playing for. Brooklyn’s loss, Washington’s gain.
