shyFX325

Yeah... no caron... no gilbert... not alot of hope.

So this time last week everyone in DC was talking about being tied/one game behind miami for the division. Now after watching caron go down, gil limp off the court, and us drop two straight to the bobcats(7 of the last 10) I am worried about the wizards even making the playoffs. I had heard that their magic number in order to clinch is just 1 game, normally hearing that would make me feel better. Unfortunately, due to my low confidence in the current squad, it doesnt. Than even if we do make the playoffs even the blindest of all homers cant expect us to make much noise.

Now this brings me to my real question... what does this team do to try and make it to the next level? More importantly what are we going to do to make sure this team does not digress. If you look at our squad now I really think we might be in more trouble than alot of us like to think. In the past we were all very excited about this young teams future, but, i think this young team has already peaked. With us picking in the draft somewhere between 15-22 I dont think we will be able to bring in any real impact player. Can say the same for free agency with only having the MLE to offer players.

What everyone in DC really needs to be concerned about is Gilbert and his player option in a couple years. I have heard him say how much he loves the town and plans on staying but lets remember we only signed him because we lost his little quarter flipping experiment. We have 3 straight disappointing, first round exits and i could definetely see him running for greener pastures somewhere else in the league. If Gilbert ever was to leave i think our teams credibility would walk right out the door with him and before we know it we are the arizona cardinals of the NBA all over again.

One on One

I think we just need to get everyone rested and healthy this summer and do something about the inside game. We need someone reliable inside, moreso just for rebounding and a presence.

I thought we were going to take it to the next level this year and make the ECF or further, but this 2nd half has imploded on us. The good news is its mostly just due to injuries. I think if you take our record with the big 3, we are going to be right up there with the top teams. Without the big 3, we just aren't any good.

One on One

You know I just thought about this more and we should still be pretty excited. Arenas is 25 and Butler is 26. That is a dynamic duo for years to come if we can keep them happy. Most teams would die to have a duo like that at that age. But they need more help.

shyFX325

Is next year Jamison's final contract year? His 17 million coming off the books is really the only chance i think we have of acquiring another impact player.

A part of me thinks that the best thing for this team to do would be to trade AJ and caron for a superstar 4 (pau gasol-ish). Yeah the team would take a step back for one year but i think they would be much better in the long term than they are now, stuck in the middle of the league.... never good enough to contend for a championship, never bad enough to get a top pick, sure fire superstar

Now i think i am really gonna start pissing people off but i think the two of them have peaked playing together as well. Short of Gil really changing his game becoming more team oriented and becoming more of a defensive force i dont see alot of room for improvement. As far as Caron goes I dont know what to think. I guess i just bought in to hard to all the news when he was coming out of UConn about bad degenerative knees. I hope he continues to progress but i dont think he has that large of a window to continue playing at this top level long into his 30s. Jamison is probably my favorite of the bunch but he is only getting older and slower (sorry AJ).

Big Mike

Wizards salaries

Goodness, I didn't realize Jamison made that much money per season.

Also does this mean Gil can opt out his contract after next season??

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Ha,Ha

shyFX325

Nope... according to that chart there Gilbert is locked in through the 08/09 season, which is a surprise to me. I could swear he had a player option near the back end of his contract.

Jamison is making alot but at least he is producing. Look how much more we owe etan thomas... scary

Big Mike

Jamisons not worth 16.5 mil. Hes by far the worst defensive starter in the league even worst than Gil. the guy just got lit up by Walter Herman in two back to back games, WTH? I cringe every time I see him try to guard someone. Wizards needs to consider bringing him off the bench, or moving him over to SF and start a real PF, oh whait they don't have one.

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Ha,Ha

afireinside

Arenas has definitely not peaked. He works to hard on his game to have peaked in his 5th year in the league. The only way he could of peaked this year is if the knee injury he sustained is career-threatening. Let's not hope so.

And Butler is pretty young also. I could see him being a better scorer in the future, but probably not for the Wiz. I think this summer might hold some excitement for Wiz fans. I believe Ernie will attempt to make some moves that will make people think, "Why?" If there was ANY way to trade for Kevin Garnett, then I say dump our entire roster except for Arenas. If there was a trade, Butler would be in the trade talks constantly considering his value as a player at his age.

By the way, the Wizards went to the 2nd round two years ago when they beat the Bulls in 6, then got swept by the Heat.

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