Wizards NBA Picks
The Washington Wizards were a pleasant surprise last season, and should continue showing improvement during the 2014-15 NBA campaign.
2014-15 Washington Wizards
Eastern Conference
2013-14 Record: 44-38 (22-19 @ Home) .537
Odds to win Title: 33/1
Odds to win Conference: 12/1[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
While the Wizards were a fun team to watch this past season, they will join the ranks of contenders this year. Will they be elite? Not likely if you consider teams like the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers in that category. But the Wizards should be contenders, and home-court advantage looks like a distinct likelihood once the playoffs arrive.
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Wizards Key Losses
Trevor Ariza – The Wizards have only one significant loss from this last season, and it’s the 3-and-D presence on the perimeter: Trevor Ariza.
Last season, Ariza posted 14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game last season. He also contributed 1.6 steals and 40.7 percent shooting from downtown, which are statistics the Houston Rockets are very happy to adopt this season.
Wizards Top Newcomers
Paul Pierce – Paul Pierce is past his prime — this we all know. But he is also a veteran presence who has championship experience, and he’ll be the perfect locker room presence for this up-and-coming organization.
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Along with being a presence, we can’t forget that Pierce can still play. He’s no longer an All-Star-caliber player, but he’s going to spread the floor with his jumper, and he knows how to produce late in games, as evidenced by his last-second block against the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of the first round.
DeJuan Blair – Dejuan Blair won’t move the needle for most casual fans, but he has the potential to be a hard-working rebounder off the bench for the Wizards. He’s a bit smaller than you’d like to see at power forward, but when he’s healthy and playing hard, he makes up for his size with excellent timing.
Kris Humphries – Like Blair, Kris Humphries won’t be on most casual fans’ radars. But also like Blair, Humphries will be No. 2 in the rotation for his position, and he’ll have a chance to make a name for himself rebounding the basketball.
Wizards Top Players
John Wall – John Wall is the undisputed leader of this team, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon.
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At the point guard position, he has struggled with his jumper in the past, but he began showing legitimate improvements this past year. If he can continue showing those same improvements in 2014-15, he’ll have a chance to make a name for himself as one of the best floor generals in the league. Combine that with the fact that he has the perfect complementary guard by his side in Bradley Beal, and you’ve got everything in his favor entering the new year.
Bradley Beal – If all goes according to plan, Bradley Beal will establish himself as one of the best shooting guards in the NBA. He’s young with a dynamic jump shot from deep range, and he helps spread the floor as John Wall continues adjusting his jumper.
Marcin Gortat – Although Nene is certainly worth an honorable mention at the big man positions, Marcin Gortat earns the nod here. He just signed his first contract as an unrestricted free agent, and having chosen to come back to the Wizards, he’ll be the top option on the block to make plays both on offense and defense.
Wizards Strengths
Depth – The Wizards have experienced a turnaround unlike most across the Association will ever experience. In just a couple of seasons, they’ve gone from the basement of the league (and the butt of many jokes) to being contenders, and it has to do with the way they’ve been able to acquire talent.
Looking at the Wizards’ depth chart, it’s clear that this group goes two deep at every position. The team has a nice collection of All-Stars, youngsters and now a champion with Pierce, and it’s clear that this team will compete at a high level all year long.
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Wizards Weaknesses
Offensive Efficiency – As good as the Wizards can be on offense, they’re middle-of-the-pack when it comes to efficiency. The team was just 16th in that category last season, compared to ninth in defensive efficiency.
If Washington can commit fewer turnovers and shoot a higher percentage, there’s a good chance it will be a top-10 team in both offensive and defensive efficiency when the playoffs roll around.
Wizards 2014 Betting Prediction
The goal in Washington is home-court advantage, but while the fourth seed would suffice, a top-three seed is where this team really wants to land.
At this point in the process, it looks like Washington will be a slight nod behind the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers out East, but right there with the Toronto Raptors fighting for the third seed. Expect this team to be in the title contention late in the year, but don’t be shocked if they are knocked out of the postseason one round before the finals by either the Bulls or Cavs.
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