Washington Wizards: Playoff Contenders In 09-10?

When I checked www.nba.com last night to see which games would be televised, I came across the first game of the double-header, Cavaliers vs. Wizards on TNT.

Immediately I looked back on the excellent playoff series between both these teams in the past and wondered, do the Wizards have a chance tonight?

I called up my friend and told him the Wizards are definitely going to win tonight. He yelled back, no way...the Cavs are the best team in the league.

After watching the entire game, I said to myself...I have to write something on this team...they are just too good to have the second worst record in the NBA with 18 wins and 59 loses.

Below is my argument for the Washington Wizards and their chances of becoming playoff contenders during the 09-10 NBA season.

Health is a primary concern

When people hear the name Gilbert Arenas, there are normally two things that come to ones mind.

Either it's

Agent Zero is sick! He is an amazing player...definitely top 5 in the league

or

Gilbert Arenas is the biggest injury prone player in the league...watch out! If you sneeze next to him he could get injured for an entire season.

Believe it or not...both statements are correct.

We start with the healthy Gilbert.

During the 04-05 NBA season, Arenas played 80 games (averaging 25.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.7 RPG, and 1.7 SPG). The Wizards went on to become the fourth seed in the playoffs.

During the 05-06 NBA season, Arenas played another 80 games (averaging a career-best 29.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, 3.5 RPG, and 2.0 SPG), placing the Wizards as the fifth seed heading into the playoffs.

During the 06-07 NBA season, Arenas played 74 games (averaging 28.4 PPG, 6.0 APG, 4.6 RPG, and 1.9 SPG), making the Wizards the sixth seed for the playoffs.

Plain and simple, when Arenas is healthy, the Wizards are a playoff contending team.

Moving onto the injured Gilbert.

During the 03-04 NBA season, Arenas played 55 games, (averaging 19.6 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG). The lousy Wizards ended the season with a 25-57 record (13th place).

During the 07-08 NBA season, Arenas played 13 games, (averaging 19.4 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.9 RPG, and 1.8 SPG). The Wizards luckily made it to the playoffs because of a weak Eastern Conference.

During the 08-09 season, Arenas has now played a total of 2 games, (averaging 13.0 PPG, 10.0 APG, and 4.5 RPG). The Wizards have a record of 18-59, last place in the East.

Obviously when Arenas is not on the court the Wizards do not perform as well.

Health Conclusion: If the Wizards want any chance at making the playoffs next season Agent Zero will have to be healthy for the entire year.

The Draft

According to ESPN's 2009 NBA Lottery Mock Draft, the Washington Wizards have a 19.9% chance of being selected with the No. 1 overall draft pick.

The Plan

If the Wizards get chosen with the No.1 overall draft pick, they obviously will draft Oklahoma's Power Forward Blake Griffin.

This move would force Washington to trade a player like Antawn Jamison, either before the start of the season or near the trade deadline of next season for an expiring contract.

The Starting Five

PG—Gilbert Arenas—Easily a top 5 overall player in the NBA when healthy.

SG—DeShawn Stevenson—Can shoot the trey ball and a decent defender.

SF—Caron Butler—A top 5 overall player at the small forward position.

PF—Antawn Jamison—Guaranteed 20+ points, 8+ rebounds any season.

C—Brendan Haywood—Looking to rebound after missing most of this season.

The Bench

PG—Javaris Crittenton—21 year old, 6'5" point-guard with extreme potential.

SG—Nick Young—Young has shown flashes of his mass potential this season scoring back-to-back games of 30 plus points.

SF—Dominic McGuire—McGuire is extremely versatile standing 6'9". Can play SG-PF.

PF—Andray Blatche—Blatche will be a great player off the bench next season.

C—JaVale McGee—7'0" rookie with a lot of potential. Will improve next season.

First round draft pick—Odds are they will get a top 2 pick. Either pick will help them.

So what is YOUR opinion? Will the Wizards make it to the playoffs next season? On paper they look like one heck of a team...but everybody knows that paper has nothing to do with a teams overall record. The Wizards have tons of young talent who are destined to improve and produce. I guess we will just have to wait until next season to really find out the answer to the Wizards chances of playoff contention!