Wizards Offseason: Do-or-Die Decisions for Washington

Jamison brings a lot more to the table than just his plethora of double-doubles (21.4 points and 10.2 boards a night, to be exact).  His intangibles include leadership, a positive and stabilizing presence in the locker room, and a reputation as an all-around good guy.

Although I like the Jamison package as a whole, I’m not a fan of his game on the court.  Defensively, he’s a liability.  He plays like a small forward against 4s (not big and physical enough) and like a power forward against 3s (not agile and athletic enough).

Also, he’s a streaky perimeter shooter.  It can be feast or famine for Jamison.  And when it’s famine, he puts the Wizards in a hole.  And when your best rebounder is launching bricks from beyond the arc, you’re missing his offensive rebounding presence as well.

So should the Wizards extend a bonanza of millions to a very good, but flawed third wheel?

Public indications are that Grunfeld will bite the bullet and attempt to re-sign both Arenas and Jamison.  But that was the initial public stance in the summer of 2005 regarding Hughes and Brown—and neither was welcomed back.

And should the Wizards stand pat with this “Big Three,” and hope they can overcome Boston’s Three Kings or King James in Cleveland?

History suggests that Washington may have Boston’s number (the Wiz were 3-1 against the Celtics last year), but they don’t have a chance against the Cavs (three straight years of playoff futility against LeBron James and crew).

Or should Grunfeld break up the “DC Big Three,” and reload around Butler?

I think the Wizards are screwed either way.  Washington ultimately won’t prevail over the “Boston Three Party,” and they are simply doomed against LeBron unless they can acquire a couple defensive stalwarts this offseason whose mission is to confound King James the way the Celtics stymied Kobe Bryant in the NBA Finals.

Considering the dead-ends on both fronts, the Wiz might as well keep the familiar trio in tact, shoot for a 50-win season, and host a first-round playoff series at home.  This formula should avoid LeBron in the first round at least.  After that, any advancement in the playoffs is gravy for the Wiz—because nobody expects anything more.

Stability in the 2008-2009 season is a key advantage, because so many playoff hopefuls are retooling this offseason.  In the East, the perennial powerhouse Detroit Pistons are remaking both the coaching staff and roster.  In the West, the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks both dumped winning coaches.

Unless Grunfeld can conjure some magic again, cutting ties with either or both Arenas and Jamison will set the Wizards backwards. Who can fill those players' shoes?

And frankly, the roster may not be the only problem.  Eddie Jordan is a very good offensive coach, but Washington’s defense is notoriously below average.  Until they solve the defensive inadequacies, they are just another pretender—not a true contender.

Since I don’t foresee any NBA championships in Washington anyway, I’d roll the dice with “Agent Zero” and enjoy his highlights and antics.  Hibachi!

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