The life of a Wizards/Bullets fan has often been predicated on the NBA Draft Lottery. Being a fan of the team since moving to D.C. in 1990, it has generally been ‘the’ highlight of the season… More than the draft itself, more than peddled hope before a season. A simple flip of a card, the bounce of a ping-pong ball and/or the chance of mathematical equation can change the fate of a franchise for years… in just a brief moment. How exciting, right?
In 1992, with the fifth worst record in the NBA, second worst in the Eastern Conference, Washington fans hoped for Shaquille O’Neal, or even Alonzo Mourning. Instead, the Bullets were jumped by the Charlotte Hornets (who chose Mourning with the second pick), and ended up with the sixth pick and Tom Gugliotta.
With the fifth worst record again in 1994, did the Wizards succeed in landing one of three draft prizes in Glenn Robinson, Jason Kidd or Grant Hill? Nope. Fifth is where they stayed… begin memories of the Juwan Howard saga.
[Editor's note: Check out the debut of new TAI author, John Townsend. Read more about that John at the bottom of this post, but first, check out his piece about another John. -Kyle]
America always seems to need an enemy, whether they’re found in politics (terrorists!) or in sports (referee Dan Crawford for Mavericks fans). Sure, there are times when our criticism of these villains is justified (British Petroleum), but just as often it is not (Steve Bartman).
The most celebrated, captivating products and people are the most polarizing as well. We should expect this, especially considering the amount of time, money, and hopes being invested. This all brings me to John Wall – savior or setback? The question was never will the Wizards select John Wall, but instead what will happen when they do.
photo courtesy of thomasbeisner's Flickr
The debate over whether or not John Wall is the answer in Washington, DC is groundless. John Wall isone part of the solution to a greater basketball challenge.
I’m on vacation and didn’t watch last night’s 112-89 loss to the Jazz. Judging from the results, it doesn’t look like I will … which will make the first time this season that I have not watched a Wizards game. I know, kinda sad … in so many ways. And I’ll likely have to miss tonight’s game against the Nuggets in Denver too.
But now that the Wizards have lost a season-high eight in a row with more notches in the L column in sight, have they hit “rock bottom”?
Nah. That already happened.
Nevertheless, someone from the Washington Times, you know, the paper that cut its sports section, is writing about sports … and the Wizards.
