Before the Washington Wizards kickoff their 2017-18 season, the Hoop District staff decided to make some official predictions about the year ahead. With the hype surrounding the team out an all time high, we predict the Wizards regular season schedule, playoff round exit, and more.
Abdullah Sharif Final Record: 50-32
Final Fate: Lose in NBA Finals
Season Outlook: The checklist for the Wizards' season goals is as follows:
Win 50 games.
Bradley Beal makes All-Star team.
John Wall is in serious MVP conversations.
John Wall makes First-team All SOMETHING (NBA or Defense)
If the Wizards can sustain a performance level that will help them accomplish these goals, they will be in contention to get well past just the second round of the playoffs. Coming off a season in which they won more games than they had in any of the previous 38 seasons, and did so in Scott Brooks' first season as head coach. With a year of playing comfortably under Brooks' system under their belt, the Wizards look to build on the successes that nearly earned them their 50-win milestone last season. And the Wizards believe they have the pedigree to go as far as the NBA Finals, even with much of the same roster. In fact, the front office's priorities this past offseason wasn't so much to add new players as it was retaining their keepers.
Even with all that is good, the Wizards are known to getting derailed into a funk for periods of time during the regular season. Considering that, I see the Wizards just breaking the 50-win mark. As far as my NBA Finals prediction..it may seem like a hyperbolic one, but it's not so far-fetched if you consider the Wizards now being a team aiming for at least the 2-seed in the East after the Gordon Hayward injury last night. If the Wizards do land in the 2-spot, they'll earn home court advantage through at least the first two rounds. The Conference Finals could be a matchup against Cleveland. It could be a matchup against Toronto. I won't say neither can beat the Wizards, but will say Wizards could beat either of them.
If there were ever a time to feel optimistic about the Wizards, it's now.
Final Record: 50-32
Final Fate: Lose in Eastern Conference Finals
Season Outlook: I’m buying in to everything the Wizards are selling this year and mostly because I trust the coach, the rising superstar status of John Wall, Bradley Beal’s growth, Oubre’s development and the bench additions of Jodie Meeks and Mike Scott.
My rationale is simple. It’s the best team talent-wise that John Wall has played with and if you’re banking on Wall performing at the level I think he’s going to, there is no way this team won’t achieve franchise marks for the second season in a row.
I predict this is the year the team breaks the 50-win mark, Wall and Beal both make the All-star team and Washington gets to the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately, I believe that’s where the 2017-18 story ends because I don’t believe they have enough depth to knock off the-super-duper super-team in Cleveland.
Final Record: 53-29
Final Fate: Lose in Eastern Conference Finals
Season Outlook: Although I think there is a decent change Washington struggles from some of the lack of defensive focus that cost them at times last, I have also seen first hand some of the work they put in over the summer. This is a team that has the starting talent to compete for the Eastern Conference championship. I predict Washington to finish 53-29, which will be good for the No. 2 seed before falling in the Eastern Conference Finals against LeBron James.
Final Record: 55-27
Final Fate: Lose in Eastern Conference Finals
Season Outlook: With a revamped bench, the Wizards should see more success this year. The starters have proven themselves already so 50 wins is a no-brainer. I see this squad getting a few additional wins to 55-27 courtesy of some Jodie Meeks bench production. The playoffs will provide more than years past. The Wizards will make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but will fall short to the Cavs in a riveting 6-game series.
Final Record: 53-29
Final Fate: Lose in Eastern Conference Finals
Season Outlook: The Wizards break the 50-win drought for the first time since the 1978-1979 season, finishing the season with an overall record of 53-29. A year after breaking the longest division title drought in major U.S. professional sports, the Wizards also capture back-to-back division titles. The 53-win season leads to the second seed in the East trailing just a few games behind the Cavs. The Wizards dominate their first round matchup to earn a rematch with the Celtics in the second round. The Wizards again go to 7 against the Celtics, but this time come up on top. Despite an incredible season the Wizards ultimately fall short to LeBron James and the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals in 6 games.
Final Record: 54-28
Final Fate: Lose in Eastern Conference Finals
Season Outlook: With many superstars bolting for the Western Conference, I predict that the Wizards will finish with over 50 wins this season at 54-28 with the No. 3 seed after Boston and Cleveland. The real challenge will be making it past the second round. Staying healthy, bench play throughout the season, and experience will play significant roles. With all those in mind, I predict that the Wizards will make it to the Eastern Conference Finals and will give the opposition a good 6-game series.
Record: 50-32
Final Fate: Lose in Eastern Conference Finals
Season Outlook: I predict the Wizards will win 50 games, win the Southeast Division and grab the #2 seed in the East. In the playoffs, they'll (finally) get over the second round hump and meet the Cavs in the 3rd round, but eventually fall. John Wall will be listed highly in the MVP discussion.
What do you think? Tweet us at @HoopDistrictDC with what we got right or wrong.