2006 Washington Wizards Preview

Welcome to the 2006 Washington Wizards NBA Preview from Maddux Sports. The regular season opens up October 31st and now is the time to study up on this years teams. If you regularly wager on the NBA our handicappers for Expert NBA Picks and check out the NBA Spreads page to compare odds and increase your winning percentage this season.

2006 Washington Wizards Basketball Season Preview

For the past two seasons, the Wizards have made the playoffs, building themselves into a scoring machine. They could take another step towards the title this year.

Point guard Gilbert Arenas (29.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 6.1 APG, 44.7 FG%, 82.0 FT%) is simply a great player, capable of scoring in huge batches. No one can doubt that he’s motivated to play and win every night. DeShawn Stevenson (11.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, 46.0 FG%, 74.4 FT%), late of the Magic, will lend an important defensive hand this season.

In the frontcourt, both power forward Antawn Jamison (20.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 44.2 FG%, 73.1 FT%) and small forward Caron Butler (17.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 45.5 FG%, 87.0 FT%) can pump it in. Jamison can’t pound inside and suffers on defense, while Butler is a physical force who can defend on the other end. One problem for the team is its lack of size. Jamison should be at small forward and Butler at point guard. Sophomore Andre Blatche (2.2 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.3 APG, 38.8 FG%, 83.3 FT%) is big enough to play the power post and has looked good in the pre-season.

The center position is unsettled with seven-footer Brendan Haywood (7.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.6 APG, 51.4 FG%, 58.5 FT%) offering the most promise. He’s been prone to injury and inconsistent the past two years. Can this be the season he puts it together?

In three years, coach Eddie Jordan has worked to get his team to play defense. In that
respect, he has not been successful. They’re one of the most scored upon teams in the league. But he’s had very little turnover on the team during the off-season and with that should start to see some solid “D.” On the other end, the Wizards have learned to spread their offense. Coach Jordan is motivated to get this team to the next level.

Arenas, Jamison and Butler can score at will. The Wizards will vie with an improved Magic team for a playoff berth. With some defensive effort, fifty wins are possible.

For more info on the 2006 Wizards basketball team visit the Wizards official website from NBA.com or keep reading up on their division rivals including the Heat, Bobcats, Hawks, and Magic.