Thoughts on the Wizards: Are They Good?

   On Wednesday night I attended the Wizards game vs. Cleveland and it was great to see Washington come away with a win, especially in front of a legion of Cavalier fans (where they came from I don’t know).  While the Wizards were able to seize a victory against one of the best teams in the East and an immanent rival, it is still hard to ascertain whether this team is any good.  After a dreadful first half by just about every player on the team I was absolutely fuming in my seat.  It didn’t help to be transplanted in between a Cleveland fan who would say “terrible shot” during all of Antawn Jamison’s trick hooks and a Ohio family of six that probably amassed a total of 3,000 pounds.  The father of that Lebron-rooting herd fittingly donned a t-shirt with the slogan “I’m not going to call you stupid, but I’m thinking about it.” 
    The reality of this win is that without Antawn Jamison’s incredible shooting display in the first half, the Wizards would have never been in the game by the third quarter.  It’s also fact that the Cavaliers fell flat in the second half in an away game which they traveled following a game the night before.  Gilbert looked like he has no business running the offense and Caron didn’t seem himself until late in the game.  To be trite, it was a rollercoaster of emotions, that game, to go from the verge of catching a case to celebrating a win over Cleveland was a sweet turn of events. 
    There are some sincere positive areas to be observed from the Wizards at this point in the season, however, they did get their third win.  It looks like Earl Boykins is the true point guard they had been missing all along.  At this juncture it doesn’t look like either Gilbert or Randy Foye can be trusted to run the offense.  Gilbert still takes the long three sometimes before passing the ball once on a possession and Foye is struggling offensively in general. 
    Ivan Carter remarked in his analysis that Boykins is the “change-of-pace point guard” that the teams really needs (Ivan's Analysis).   He is instant offense when he comes off the bench, very similar to Juan Dixon’s contribution several years ago but more efficient at running the offense.  He was yet another excellent pick-up by GM Ernie Grunfeld. 
    In my opinion, what the offense desperately was missing was the presence of both Antawn Jamison and Mike Miller.  These guys create more offense than any other players on the team.  They are both tall and have excellent outside shots which spreads the court.  Both of these guys realize that they have to be respected nearly everywhere on the court which means someone is always going to have a chance to get open.  When both Miller and Jamison were out the offense looked stagnant, with the two of them healthy the ball moves more efficiently and passing lanes open up.  It’s just great to see the Wizards finally “healthy,” it gives fans hope for the next stretch of the season.  Next up: @ Oklahoma City Thunder and @ San Antonio Spurs