The Woeful Wizards

          In a city where we are constantly heart broken and disappointed by the demise of one of our most prized possessions (the Washington Redskins) we don't have much to smile about when it comes to sports.  Sure the caps have been a bright spot as of recent years, the Nats seem to be turning a corner, but this is a football and basketball town.  Though the skins still continue to struggle the one thing we have to admit is there seems to be an improvement in the professionalism and structure of the organization that has existed in recent years.  Then there is the Washington Wizards.

            Growing up in the 80's and 90's when this team was the Bullets I remember my father taking me to U.S Air Arena and we would watch that team lose game after game and a good season would be hanging around a .500 record.  Then there was the Jordan era where in 2001- 2003 we had our own version of Brett Favre in Minnesota, Jerry Rice in Oakland, Emmit Smith in Arizona, an old man who squeezed out whatever he had left in the dish rag of his legendary career.  Though it may have been harmful to his legacy, it was entertaining to most fans.  The Verzion center (MCI center at the time) was a full house every night to come grasping at the opportunity to see Jordan be "His Airness" of the 90s.
         
            Then came Gilbert Arenas a true star and along with Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison were able to string together some exciting playoff seasons from 2004-2008.  The city had something to be proud of, and then came the demise.  Injuries slowed down Gilbert Arenas and after an incident where guns were bought to the locker room the team was blown up, the three stars were shipped out and this team turned over a new leaf with rookie point guard John Wall, obviously implying that a rebuild of the team was in place. 

           So here we are now in year two of the "rebuild" and this team is worse than it ever has been before!  I can take losing; I live in this area I'm used to it but the way this team is losing in unacceptable.  This is a roster comprised of one of 2 of the most underachieving players in the league, Andray Blatche who makes 6.42 mil this season and Rashard Lewis who makes 22 mil (THE SECOND HIGHEST PAID PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE) and produces a whopping 9.1 points a game.  This is a roster that relies heavily on an undisciplined shooter in Nick Young.  This is a roster who's "star" player in John Wall seems to have entered year two with the same ability he entered the league with day one in year one, maybe worst.  In year two Wall has seen a decline in shooting percentage, free throw percentage, steals, assists, has yet to hit a three pointer.  Only statistic Wall has seen an increase in his numbers is at TURNOVERS, from 3.8 a game to a nice round 4.0 a game.

            The question rises if he bothered to work on improving his game this off season?  Where is this improved jumper we heard so much about?  Yet I hear several stories of how you can find most of these guys in the streets of D.C enjoying the nightlife.  I've even experienced firsthand I've seen them out hanging in the bars of the Verizon center after the games and hanging out in "Bar 7" during training camp.   I'M TALKING TO YOU ANDRAY BLATCHE, to think you had the audacity to open the season by telling us you of all people were our team captain and promising us hard work and a fun season, this hasn't been hard work and it's not fun.  Who in the world decided it was a good idea to name you team captain????  How does that happen you have the VP of the player's association in Maurice Evans on the roster along with Roger Mason Jr., both of whom are NBA veterans who have played meaningful roles in playoff games?  Andray, how about you focus on getting 10 rebounds a game or boxing our Kris Humphries?  How about getting in game shape Andray you look like you have no idea what a push-up is, no not the Flintstones ice cream bar.

          That move sums up my feeling of this team.  They are not concerned about and lack professionalism.  Javale McGee has the potential to be very similar to the type of player Tyson Chandler has become however he's too busy throwing alley oops to himself off the backboard in losing efforts and begging for all-star votes on twitter.  Look fellas I know you're young, maybe not so bright, that's fine but the veterans and staff are really who’s to blame here.  We have people in this organization who have no excuse to allow this to happen.  From the Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld, to Flip Saunders, Sam Cassell, to the veterans on the bench.  YOU ARE AN EMBARRASSING REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY I CALL HOME.  YOU LACK PROFESSIONALISM SO THEREFORE WE LACK RESPECT.

          Look up into the stands sometimes fellas check how empty the 400 level is and then scan down to the 200's and see there's not much of a difference.  Pay attention to the fact that there were 30 cent tickets for your game against Minnesota on stubhub.  Right now are headed to be dubbed with the title the worst team in NBA and that will forever be your namesake.  We deserve better as paying customers and devoted fans and you should want better for yourselves, as self-respect human beings.