Wizards Tripped Up Before They Begin
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By DERON SNYDER
The Wizards’ path to respectability is littered with land mines, potholes and other assorted obstacles in the Eastern Conference. But at least Washington seems headed in the right direction, having jettisoned the goofballs and blockheads who steered it off course the past few seasons.
Losing the dead weight should improve the Wizards’ responsiveness in maneuvering during the journey.
But there’s no escaping the familiar sense of dread that has surrounded the franchise for the better part of 30 years now. Just when it appeared that the depression was lifting, we learned otherwise. Star point guard John Wall is out for at least eight weeks, long enough to jeopardize thoughts of a postseason berth.
The Wizards talked a good game in the immediate aftermath and at Monday’s media day. Team President Ernie Grunfeld called the left knee injury a “bump in the road.” Coach Randy Wittman said the team’s “expectations aren’t going to change.” Wall said he believes in his teammates and “they can win a lot of games without me.”
Those comments are the exact opposite of what we fear will happen, which is this: By the time Wall returns and gets in the groove, a quarter of the season could be gone. The remaining players, though game, realize they can’t overcome such a significant loss. They’ll do the best they can, but the talent differential will lead to another ugly record out the gate.
