2013-14 WASHINGTON WIZARDS ROSTER PREVIEW

With the preseason over and a game in less than 24 hours, the WASHINGTON WIZARDS seem to be poised to actually have a descent season(we hope).
Compiled this season is a team with a nice mix of savvy veterans, young hopefuls and a couple, maybe a few potential stars.
 I'd like to go over each position, player by player and review some statistics and projections from a fan's point of view. Still with me? Good. Let's dig into this roster starting with the front court...

CENTERS

Marcin Gortat- 6'11" 240 lbs. The Wizards traded Emeka Okafor and a conditional 1st round draft choice for this big hunk of meat. His numbers were fine last season in Phoenix with 11 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game, but if he can in any way duplicate his 2011-12 season where he averaged 15 ppg and 10 rpg, we'll be thanking Grunfeld for making this move and possibly paying him for a few more seasons.

Kevin Seraphin- 6'10" 278 lbs. In his last 3 seasons, he's done nothing but progress, especially in the paint. But you may see a decrease in playing time from this kid if Nene and Gortat stay healthy.

Nene- 6'11" 250 lbs. A very productive F/C in this league for awhile now, the focus on his season will definitely be HEALTH. He's always in line to average 11-13 PPG and around 7-8 RPG. In my opinion his rebounding and scoring capabilities are on the decline and could be on the cusp of Seraphin taking some of his minutes away this season, barring he's even healthy.

FORWARDS

Trevor Ariza- 6'8" 220 lbs. Coming off the bench for 41 games last season and starting 15 for the Wiz, Ariza was a solid backup forward posting 9 PPG. His role will increase to start the season I'm sure, which may lead to an increase in point chances. He's an asset to this team by his resume and basketball IQ, so if he duplicates 9 points and 3 rebounds per game, thats all we can ask for.

Trevor Booker- 6'8" 235 lbs. This guy is ferocious and loves blocking shots. His 5 PPG and 5 RPG should remain about the same but this kid could possibly get 50 blocks this season.

Al Harrington- 6'9" 245 lbs. Veteran Harrington joined the Wizards this offseason and I got excited. Not because of his 5 PPG but because of his ability to work with Booker and the other young forwards and hopefully make them better. His many seasons in the NBA speaks for itself. Get that money big Al.

Otto Porter Jr.- Being a huge Georgetown basketball fan, you'd imagine how far my pants flew off when the Wiz took this kid with the 3rd overall pick in the draft. He reminds me so much of Teshawn Prince, it's pathetic.With a lingering hip flexor that has cost him to not step foot on the court with his teammates this preseason, he's missing an extremely valuable amount of time. How effective he'll be in his first season(if he ever gets healthy) has remained to be seen, but as long as he waits to come back until he's 100%, I love the compliment he gives to Wall and Beal.

Chris Singleton- 6'8" 228 lbs. His 4 points and 3 rebounds per game is probably about what you'll see again from him.

Jan Vesely- 7'0" 242 lbs. Oh Jan Vesely...The 6th overall pick from 2011 has only shown so far that he was not deserving of his draft status. Grunfeld drafted him and compared him to Dirk. Well, so far he's playing like dirt. 2 points and 2 boards a game? I guess you can only improve those numbers, right?

Martell Webster- 6'7" 230 lbs. Had a career year last season while starting 62 games for the Wiz. 11 points and 4 rebounds a game to go along with his 17 blocked shots is pretty productive. Also, Martell became a good free throw shooter last season. Always around 70-something percent from the line, last season he jumped into the 85% range. Looking for another productive year like this from him is not unrealistic.

GUARDS

Bradley Beal- 6'5" 205 lbs. Beal, though his season was cut short due to injury, showed us how great of a shooter he can be. A great 1-2 punch with Wall, he averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists a game in his rookie campaign. Look for him to improve all of these numbers as he's now fully healthy and added more to his game in the offseason. Beal is a potential all-star.

Glen Rice Jr.- 6'6" 206 lbs. Rice has shown his scoring ability from the parimeter is something worth watching. Played in the D-League last season and showed well. I'm looking for about a 8-10 point average from him in his rookie year. If that happens, his future with the Wiz at the off-guard position will be more clear. Great upside if he does indeed have his head on straight.

Eric Maynor- 6'3" 175 lbs. A backup guard that will be used sparingly in rotation with Wall and Beal. I don't expect much production from him other than the 2-4 PPG and a few assists. 

Garrett Temple- 6'6" 195 lbs. Temple was productive last season but could possibly be used as the 4th guard on the depth chart and that in turn could bring his production down. Averaging 5 points, 2 boards and 2 assists last season, I'd expect about the same.

John Wall- 6'4" 195 lbs. Wall had a great stretch at the end of last season, averaging 18 points and 8 assists. Another rising star on this team and no doubt the leader of it. With a max contract now, Wall's future is here in Washington. I'd love to see him average 20 points and 10 assists but if he can just raise the assists a bit then I think the offense will be pretty good. Opening up shots for Gortat, Beal, and everyone else should be his focus because teams seem to key in him when they're looking to slow the offense. I'm predicting an All-Star season for Wall in the Eastern Conference.

Game is at 7:30pm tonight in Detroit. 

GO WIZ!

-Will