Wizards at Full Strength (Almost): Playoff Run Possible?

Wednesday, April 2, 2008: Wizards vs. Bucks

It was a seemingly normal, ordinary game with a decent team playing a mediocre team. The latter was completely out of the running for a playoff spot and Washington needed a few more wins down the strength to clinch the fourth or fifth spot going into the postseason.

I used to watch the Wizards games religiously until I went to college outside the area and only the nationally televised games could be viewed. So I have to keep up on the score by going to the Sports Illustrated scoreboards and hitting refresh every minute or so to try and stay in the action.

I remember I was a little late getting to my computer, so the game was well into the second quarter when I first got a look at the score. Nothing too exciting, Wizards with a decent lead and Caron Butler leading all scorers. I scroll down and suddenly my heart stops, all I read is the stat line: Arenas, Gilbert, 8:04, 4-5 10 pts. Can this be, has my idol finally returned after countless delays, holdups and last-minute "not cleared by doctors" notices? Has the beast named Arenas finally returned?

Yes! With the Wizards in the middle of a surprisingly strong season, given the early loss of their superstar point guard and the constant injuries to other key players, it seems as though the basketball gods are finally smiling on the Wizards.

Whoops, I spoke to soon, the Wiz inexplicably drop a game to the hapless Bucks putting the "clinched playoffs" asterisk on hold. To add insult to injury, Jamison went out of the game with a sprained right shoulder and has so far missed two games to the Heat and the Bulls.

Right now the Wizards own the fifth spot in the East with a chance to potentially move up to the fourth spot and three games on the road against the Eastern Conference. Leading the Celtics, playoff-bound 76ers and the Pacers with two home games against the second spot Pistons and the third spot Magic.

This means that four of the final five games will be against stiff, playoff-bound competition meaning that the Wizards might drop a few spots before the postseason.

Hopefully, with the return of Arenas and Jamison in the coming days, Washington can put together some momentum going into the playoffs and potentially surprise some people in the first round. Don't be shocked if this team comes out and puts together a powerful playoff run; and while they probably won't challenge for the conference champions, expect the Wizards to make it to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.