Experience is the Washington Wizards’ Biggest Win

Washington Wizards cling to playoff hopes

Before the season started, a friend of mine asked if the Washington Wizards had a worse roster than the New York Knicks. The answer was “no”, in part, because the Wizards had started constructing a young roster under new GM Tommy Shephard.

With that young roster, there was no expectation to make the NBA playoffs. Shephard was in the infancy of remaking an organization that hasn’t been able to sustain success since the Gilbert Arenas days.

On paper, last night’s win over the hapless Chicago Bulls shouldn’t mean that much to a team that is 19-33 but in truth it does. The Wizards sit in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference. They are three games behind the Orlando Magic. In a season that has seen an overhaul along with a parade of injuries, there’s no way to have anticipated that the Washington would be this close to using the word “playoffs”.

The lazy narrative would be “it’s the Eastern Conference” or “it’s only midway through the season”. Both are correct but that’s looking at the situation through a very narrow scope. If the young players get a taste of what being in a playoff race is about, that will serve the well in the future. Even though the Wizards don’t have a sexy name like Zion Williamson, it’s a similar situation to what the New Orleans Pelicans are in. It isn’t important if the Pelicans do or do not make the playoffs this season. They are gaining valuable experience that could be a major role to future success.

In the Wizards case, this could help them hang on to Bradley Beal when his current extension expires. It could also help John Wall to be even more motivated when he gets back in the lineup next season. Plus, never forget that the NBA isn’t about markets, it’s about destinations. A winning organization can be attractive to free agents besides the mega-superstar. Washington DC has not been a destination franchise for free agents but sustained success along with a competent front office could change that.

That’s a lot more important than taking your chance in the lottery year after year.

So Wizards fans should enjoy this team and what they’re doing beyond their record. They are gaining valuable experience. Experience that can serve them well in the future.

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