What was once an entertaining season for the Washington Wizards has quickly gone down the proverbial drain so fast most people are afraid to ask “What’s next?” In the last 12 days, the team has lost Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas for the season, lost the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, lost the Southeast Division crown to the Miami Heat and also lost six in a row, with four of those losses to the NJ Nets and Charlotte Bobcats. The Curse of Les Boulez? Or perhaps the Curse of Jang-a-Lang? Either way, that’s the bad news in a nutshell.
The good news is that the Wiz still managed to clinch a playoff spot and, for the most part, have been in each of their recent losses with a chance to win the game. Antawn Jamison has raised his game despite becoming the defensive focal point for every opposing team. Antonio Daniels and Darius Songaila have also proved their worth, showing increased production to go along with their increased minutes.
So what’s in store for the team during the last six days of the season? Tonight’s game in Atlanta against the Hawks will go a long way in determining the team’s playoff seed. A win and they’ll likely hold off the Nets for the fifth seed. A loss and they’ll have to regroup and get ready for three straight games with huge potential playoff implications. Sunday’s home tilt with the Bulls will go a long way in determining if Chicago or Cleveland will get the number two seed in the East. And next week’s opponents, Orlando and Indiana, are currently fighting each other for the eight and final playoff spot in the East, so nothing will come easy for Eddie Jordan’s injury depleted squad.
Assuming the Wiz grab the fifth seed and everything plays out to form, Washington would match up with the Toronto Raptors, who have pulled a collective Tracy McGrady and already done everything but say they can’t wait to make the second round of the playoffs.
Lastly, a few random thoughts as the season draws to a close. Is this the worst the Eastern Conference has ever been? There could very well be three playoff teams with losing records (Washington, New Jersey and Orlando/Indiana). And how big was that Golden State game a few weeks ago? Think Don Nelson wants that technical foul back with the Warriors and Clippers in a dog fight for the eighth spot in the West?
Photo by Kyle Gustafson.
