Just as it was ten years ago today that we wondered if butter was a carb, it’s been almost as long since the Washington Wizards won a playoff series. That nigh-decade-long drought mercifully ended last night as the Wiz closed out the Chicago Bulls, winning the series 4-1.
I’ve abstained from weighing in on the Wiz thus far this season for fear of jinxing the one D.C. sports team I’m somewhat invested in. It’s been tough abstaining from analysis of the best young backcourt in the league, but last night’s win finally broke me down.
As the Wizards started their playoff hunt in earnest after the All-Star Break, a fun Internet meme emerged that combined Wizard guards John Wall and Bradley Beal with that criminally overrated Kevin Spacey Emmy vehicle: "House of Guards." Wall and Beal have played spectacularly this season, which is what you'd expect when you have a first and third overall draft picks fueling your offense.
The reason most experts picked to the Bulls to advance was that they didn't notice the gaping hole in the Wizards' offense that Wall and Beal’s performances spackled over. The Wizards' formidable front court was hindered all season. Chief among the walking wounded was Nenê, the team's emotional center. The Wizards were healthy for the first time all season at the perfect time.
Allow me to remind you that VOX DOT COM’s resident NBA expert-by-default, Matthew Yglesias, argued last month that the Wizards should bench Nenê in favor of Trevor Booker.
Under the circumstances, it’s really not clear to me that Nene ought to return to the starting lineup even if he does get healthy at some point.
A healthy Nenê was the difference maker in the series. His Game 3 suspension galvanized the team to win the critical Game 4, he averaged a 17 and 6 for the series, and he inspired Wizards fans to resemble actual basketball fans.
Chicago faces an uncertain but encouraging future. It can't feel good that the only guy who prevented Lebron James from winning five-straight league MVPs can’t seem to stay healthy. In the plus column, the Luol Deng trade gave the Bulls some chips to play for next summer when the famed 2010 free agent class contracts are up for renewals. The NY Post reported rumblings out of Gotham hinting that Carmelo Anthony is about to piss off his wife by opting out of his deal with the Knicks and resigning with a different team for significantly less money. Chicago is the sensible destination, but Melo's allergy to playing defense is the antithesis of the grinding culture of Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. Another thing to consider: Why would Carmelo go to another team when his co-superstar teammate isn't healthy?
The Wizards will either face in the next round a lucky Atlanta squad or a gassed Pacers team. The Wiz should win, but then again, this is the Wizards. Should they advance to face Miami, however, they won’t be overachieving. The Wiz has had this in them all season long. It’s just now that they decided to play like it.
