<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>By John N. Mitchell THE WASHINGTON TIMES June 10, 2007 Former Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson believes that the Washington Wizards -- as long as they don't lose Gilbert Arenas -- are a big man away from contending for the NBA championship. "Right now Gilbert is unstoppable," Johnson said. "There's nobody in the league who can stop him. Caron Butler is the heart and soul of the team because he is so tough mentally and physical. And Antawn [Jamison] is probably the hardest cover on the team because he's not a traditional power forward. "But after that you can't point to anyone down low who can score some baskets and also help out defensively on the interior," Johnson continued. "That's the only place where they are lacking. Once they get that I would say that they are the favorites. Who is going to stop them?" Johnson was in town to participate in Freddie Mac's Hoops for the Homeless campaign. Arenas, almost completely mended from his torn left meniscus, also was helping out at the event. Johnson, a three-time NBA MVP, a 12-time All-Star and winner of five NBA titles with the Lakers, said the Wizards don't need a big man on the level of Shaquille O'Neal or Tim Duncan. "Not with the perimeter players they have," Johnson said. "They just need a guy who can give them 10 to 14 points a night. But they don't have that and that is what's going to hurt them in the playoffs every year unless they improve there. What happens when those outside shots aren't falling in a seven-game series? That's where they are lacking."</div> http://washingtontimes.com/sports/20070610-123258-9975r.htm Of course being a Wizards fan makes me agree completely. Look at the East today, if the Cavs won the East, so could the Wizards. I think after we add a perimeter scorer we need to look at a backup SG but after that our squad could contend for a chip. We were contending for first place for about 2-3 weeks in January/Beggining of February but then injury struck. The key is to stay one step ahead of Chicago in their look for post scoring.
Like I said in the other thread, Arenas shouldn't leave Washington. They're heading in the right direction, and with all their players healthy, they could have possibly knocked out the Cavs in the 1st round. Unless the Magic hold out on their cap and try to sign him next season, the Wizards are really his best option.
I also believe they are on the rise and will be able to contend for years to come...butler and arenas are still young and if they can keep gil, and have percherov develop nicely they will be one of the best teams in the east for the next few years
The Wizards have to be very useful with their draft pick though. They need to find a big man. Players such as Tiago Splitter, and Jason Smith could be avaliable there, and they really need to make sure they pick the right one. All of those players have the upside to turn into a solid NBA player and could be what the Wizards need.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GrizzFanTaylor @ Jun 13 2007, 09:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Wizards have to be very useful with their draft pick though. They need to find a big man. Players such as Tiago Splitter, and Jason Smith could be avaliable there, and they really need to make sure they pick the right one. All of those players have the upside to turn into a solid NBA player and could be what the Wizards need.</div>I wonder how this Pecherov guy would do next season (is he coming out for them?). Either way, they're probably going to get a solid big man, but I still don't see them making it to the Finals next season with any of those guys. Maybe not even the year after?
I don't think the East is going to be this bad again next season. I think New Jersey will rebound and having Krstic back is going to help a lot, Milwaukee being healthy will be a very competitive team, Chicago you have to think will take another step, Orlando is another interesting team. I think the Wizards will be a good team in the East, but do not expect a cakewalk like this season.
If the Wizards could somehow land Al Horford or Brandan Wright that would be a championship team instantly
