Post by carlos51093 on Dec 8, 2010 21:00:08 GMT -5
Welcoming the Wizards
A Sneak Peek at the 2004-2005 season
The 2004-2005 Washington Wizards showcase a brand new look for a team that has seen minimal changes in recent years. After meandering in mediocrity for the past couple of years, unable to become a legitimate contender and incapable of bringing in a young star, the Wizards decided it was time to blow up the team and start fresh. The Wizards began transforming the veteran team at the beginning of last season, when they traded future Hall of Famer, Gary Payton, to Atlanta for Mo Williams. Contrary to what many thought, this trade actually improved the Wizards record over the previous year’s effort and looked like it would result in a division win for the Wizards. This, however, was changed at the trade deadline when the Wizards once again made a major move, trading Antoine Walker to Sacramento for Charlie Villanueva, a draft pick, and cap relief. At this point, the youth movement was in full swing. The team took a slide down the standings, but remained in the playoff picture, losing to Orlando in round one. The 2003 season was an interesting one for Washington. Their team went from one full of veterans to one of the youngest teams in the league. They went from perennial playoff team to counting down to the draft. The team has lost the veterans that gave it its identity, but have acquired the young pieces that will contribute in the team’s return to victory. Welcome the 2004-2005 Washington Wizards:
569 Vladimir Stepania C 28 7'0'' 236 B- D D- A B+ D
Vladimir Stepania is entering his third year as a Washington Wizard. The Slovenian veteran joined Washington in Free Agency of the 2001 offseason to provide a big body off the bench. After stealing the starting spot from Tony Battie, Stepania has not looked back. After two years with the Wizards, Stepania received his biggest contract worth $5,000,000 this year and showed his team that he is worth the investment. Over Training Camp, Stepania saw a huge improvement. After shooting a dismal average over the span of his five year career, Stepania improved his inside scoring, giving the Wizards a decent post threat on an otherwise small team. Stepania also focused on improving his main strength and worked with the coaching staff to improve his defensive skills. Stepania’s hard work this offseason has made him one of the elite defensive centers in the league and a very good all-around big man. After a string of one year contracts, Stepania will likely be receiving that long-term deal he has been seeking for so long.
373 Charlie Villanueva SF 20 6'11'' 240 C+ C+ D+ B B C
Charlie Villanueva has acquired an impressive amount of frequent flyer miles in just one SSBL season. As a High School senior, Villanueva entered the draft and moved across the country from his hometown of Queens to Sacramento. After just a few short months in Sacramento, Villanueva was informed that he would once again be sent across the country to Washington DC. One offseason later, Villanueva’s final destination is still uncertain. His role in this organization could vary from starting Power Forward to spending a year in the newly founded development league. As a twenty year old sophomore, Villanueva still has a lot to learn about the game, but he is well on his way to becoming a very good player. He has already become a very good defender and rebounder, now it is his offensive game that will need a boost. With Villanueva’s size and skill set, he could become one of the most versatile players in the league if he works on his scoring.
420 Travis Outlaw SF 20 6'9'' 210 C+ B- C- B C+ A
Travis Outlaw is one of the few new faces in Washington after a relatively quiet offseason. Outlaw was Washington’s first pick in the 2004 Draft (the Wizards later picked Romain Sato) and is one of the most exciting young players in the league. Although his skill set is still extremely raw, Outlaw has the advantage of being a freak athlete with incredible instincts. In camp, he has shown impeccable timing in blocking shots and has exhibited a decent outside shot. With some work on his offensive game, Outlaw could be a very reliable starting Small Forward. At worst, he can be a defensive minded role player with a high shot blocking average. Outlaw’s shot blocking ability and pure athleticism makes him a great fit for the fast-pace style the Washington Wizards intend to run this season, but he is also another candidate to play ball in Dakota this season. While Outlaw’s role this season has yet to be determined, his future looks bright in a Washington Wizards uniform.
146 John Salmons SG 25 6'7'' 210 B- B C C+ C C
Since moving from Dade County to DC, John Salmons has seen a great amount of success. In just two years, Salmons has proved himself to be one of the top young scorers in the league. While his scoring talent has been well received by the fans, it seems his numbers have also gotten to his head. Salmons showed up to Training Camp out of shape and not in any condition to play. This resulted in a poor showing for the third year veteran. Salmons regressed defensively and also saw a decrease in his inside game, something he worked hard on to improve last offseason. While hope is not lost, the Wizards expect more from one of their leaders and expect him to lead the team in scoring yet again this season.
11 Mo Williams PG 22 6'1'' 185 C+ A- B- B D+ B
After arriving from Atlanta at the beginning of last season, Mo Williams has worked hard to become a household name in the SSBL. From raw talent to solid youngster, Williams is now trying to add All-Star to his list of adjectives. Last Training Camp, Williams looked like the next big star in Washington, improving his ball handling and defense. This year, Williams continued to impress the coaches by improving his scoring. Williams’s work this offseason has earned him the role of being the team’s second option. His deadly outside jump shot gives the Wizards another option alongside John Salmons as they try to perfect the “seven seconds or less” offense. Williams’s main concern this year will be holding onto the ball at the pace the Wizards hope to play. Last year, Williams averaged nearly four turnovers per game. The team is hoping that he will cut down on those mistakes while improving his scoring numbers.
The youth movement in Washington has yielded some exciting talent to follow for the next couple of years. The Wizards’ bench is also littered with young talent. Romain Sato, the Wizards second round pick, proved himself to be a valuable asset and a possible steal out of Xavier in the second round. Juan Carlos Navarro will get a bigger role off the bench this year after two seasons with the team. Filling out the bench are Charlie Bell, Justin Reed, Bostjan Nachbar, Ryan Humphrey, and the lone veteran Vlade Divac. While the Wizards will not get as many wins as their fans have grown accustomed to, they will play an exciting brand of basketball and will showcase some solid young talent. The year will be rough but the Wizards will rise again with their young core leading the way.
A Sneak Peek at the 2004-2005 season
The 2004-2005 Washington Wizards showcase a brand new look for a team that has seen minimal changes in recent years. After meandering in mediocrity for the past couple of years, unable to become a legitimate contender and incapable of bringing in a young star, the Wizards decided it was time to blow up the team and start fresh. The Wizards began transforming the veteran team at the beginning of last season, when they traded future Hall of Famer, Gary Payton, to Atlanta for Mo Williams. Contrary to what many thought, this trade actually improved the Wizards record over the previous year’s effort and looked like it would result in a division win for the Wizards. This, however, was changed at the trade deadline when the Wizards once again made a major move, trading Antoine Walker to Sacramento for Charlie Villanueva, a draft pick, and cap relief. At this point, the youth movement was in full swing. The team took a slide down the standings, but remained in the playoff picture, losing to Orlando in round one. The 2003 season was an interesting one for Washington. Their team went from one full of veterans to one of the youngest teams in the league. They went from perennial playoff team to counting down to the draft. The team has lost the veterans that gave it its identity, but have acquired the young pieces that will contribute in the team’s return to victory. Welcome the 2004-2005 Washington Wizards:
569 Vladimir Stepania C 28 7'0'' 236 B- D D- A B+ D
Vladimir Stepania is entering his third year as a Washington Wizard. The Slovenian veteran joined Washington in Free Agency of the 2001 offseason to provide a big body off the bench. After stealing the starting spot from Tony Battie, Stepania has not looked back. After two years with the Wizards, Stepania received his biggest contract worth $5,000,000 this year and showed his team that he is worth the investment. Over Training Camp, Stepania saw a huge improvement. After shooting a dismal average over the span of his five year career, Stepania improved his inside scoring, giving the Wizards a decent post threat on an otherwise small team. Stepania also focused on improving his main strength and worked with the coaching staff to improve his defensive skills. Stepania’s hard work this offseason has made him one of the elite defensive centers in the league and a very good all-around big man. After a string of one year contracts, Stepania will likely be receiving that long-term deal he has been seeking for so long.
373 Charlie Villanueva SF 20 6'11'' 240 C+ C+ D+ B B C
Charlie Villanueva has acquired an impressive amount of frequent flyer miles in just one SSBL season. As a High School senior, Villanueva entered the draft and moved across the country from his hometown of Queens to Sacramento. After just a few short months in Sacramento, Villanueva was informed that he would once again be sent across the country to Washington DC. One offseason later, Villanueva’s final destination is still uncertain. His role in this organization could vary from starting Power Forward to spending a year in the newly founded development league. As a twenty year old sophomore, Villanueva still has a lot to learn about the game, but he is well on his way to becoming a very good player. He has already become a very good defender and rebounder, now it is his offensive game that will need a boost. With Villanueva’s size and skill set, he could become one of the most versatile players in the league if he works on his scoring.
420 Travis Outlaw SF 20 6'9'' 210 C+ B- C- B C+ A
Travis Outlaw is one of the few new faces in Washington after a relatively quiet offseason. Outlaw was Washington’s first pick in the 2004 Draft (the Wizards later picked Romain Sato) and is one of the most exciting young players in the league. Although his skill set is still extremely raw, Outlaw has the advantage of being a freak athlete with incredible instincts. In camp, he has shown impeccable timing in blocking shots and has exhibited a decent outside shot. With some work on his offensive game, Outlaw could be a very reliable starting Small Forward. At worst, he can be a defensive minded role player with a high shot blocking average. Outlaw’s shot blocking ability and pure athleticism makes him a great fit for the fast-pace style the Washington Wizards intend to run this season, but he is also another candidate to play ball in Dakota this season. While Outlaw’s role this season has yet to be determined, his future looks bright in a Washington Wizards uniform.
146 John Salmons SG 25 6'7'' 210 B- B C C+ C C
Since moving from Dade County to DC, John Salmons has seen a great amount of success. In just two years, Salmons has proved himself to be one of the top young scorers in the league. While his scoring talent has been well received by the fans, it seems his numbers have also gotten to his head. Salmons showed up to Training Camp out of shape and not in any condition to play. This resulted in a poor showing for the third year veteran. Salmons regressed defensively and also saw a decrease in his inside game, something he worked hard on to improve last offseason. While hope is not lost, the Wizards expect more from one of their leaders and expect him to lead the team in scoring yet again this season.
11 Mo Williams PG 22 6'1'' 185 C+ A- B- B D+ B
After arriving from Atlanta at the beginning of last season, Mo Williams has worked hard to become a household name in the SSBL. From raw talent to solid youngster, Williams is now trying to add All-Star to his list of adjectives. Last Training Camp, Williams looked like the next big star in Washington, improving his ball handling and defense. This year, Williams continued to impress the coaches by improving his scoring. Williams’s work this offseason has earned him the role of being the team’s second option. His deadly outside jump shot gives the Wizards another option alongside John Salmons as they try to perfect the “seven seconds or less” offense. Williams’s main concern this year will be holding onto the ball at the pace the Wizards hope to play. Last year, Williams averaged nearly four turnovers per game. The team is hoping that he will cut down on those mistakes while improving his scoring numbers.
The youth movement in Washington has yielded some exciting talent to follow for the next couple of years. The Wizards’ bench is also littered with young talent. Romain Sato, the Wizards second round pick, proved himself to be a valuable asset and a possible steal out of Xavier in the second round. Juan Carlos Navarro will get a bigger role off the bench this year after two seasons with the team. Filling out the bench are Charlie Bell, Justin Reed, Bostjan Nachbar, Ryan Humphrey, and the lone veteran Vlade Divac. While the Wizards will not get as many wins as their fans have grown accustomed to, they will play an exciting brand of basketball and will showcase some solid young talent. The year will be rough but the Wizards will rise again with their young core leading the way.
