The Wizards' Missing Pieces: Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood

The Washington Wizards are 7-29 and are going to be in the lottery this up coming Draft.

Not having Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood is a big reason why.

Arenas—a three time All-Star—had a procedure done to clear out some debris in his left knee, and has missed the first three months of the NBA season.

Haywood had his best season last year and improved his free throw shooting with the help of shooting coach Dave Hopla. Haywood tore a ligament in his right wrist during training camp, was forced to have surgery, and probably will miss the remainder of the regular season.

The Wizards fired head coach Eddie Jordan because of the constant losing. Jordan was a guy that helped both players improve their games. Jordan's offense allowed everybody to touch the ball and be successful on the court.

But since he is no longer here, that's something they have to deal with and overcome by themselves.

The Wizards in past years have been killed by injuries, and every time you look on their bench, somebody on the bench that is very valuable to the Wizards is wearing a suit. Most of the time it's Arenas, a guy the Wizards need to have in the backcourt, and lead them.

Arenas is the Wizards best player and they need him to to come back on the court as soon as possible. Without Arenas, the team can not win a NBA title because they need him to lead, and he is a guy that can score 40, 50, or 60 points any night. He is a beast on the basketball court.

Haywood is a big piece in the middle for the Wizards, and a leader for the team. Haywood protects the middle; just ask LeBron James. Haywood gave a hard foul on James, which people thought was a dirty play, but at least Haywood did not let James get an easy lay-up. He let LeBron know you cant just have anything you want.

If the Wizards are going to be a playoff contender next season they need Arenas and Haywood to be on the court, because God knows what we have seen this year on the basketball court has been ugly.