Washington Wizards 2001-02 Capsule
COACH: Doug Collins (first season, 258-197 overall)
LAST SEASON: 19-63, seventh in Atlantic Division
ARRIVALS: G-F Michael Jordan (free agent), F-C Kwame Brown (first-round pick), G Tyronn Lue (free agent), C Brendan Haywood (trade with Orlando)
DEPARTURES: G Mitch Richmond, G Laron Profit
SLAM DUNKS: The Third Coming has Wizards fans dreaming of the playoffs. After a three-year "retirement," Jordan is back and playing his way into shape. He should be a reasonable facsimile of his old, indomitable self by December 1. There is some nice young talent here in Gs Richard Hamilton (18.1 ppg) and Courtney Alexander (9.5) and rookie Cs Brown and Haywood, both of whom have some learning to do. F Christian Laettner (9.3, 4.7) is still effective at times and F Popeye Jones (3.6, 4.9) is an excellent rebounder if healthy. Even without Jordan, there is the sense that something new is happening here, which is good news for a long-stagnant team.
AIRBALLS: Jordan is 38 and has experienced some nagging injuries during his comeback. He takes conditioning seriously but is his body up to carrying a team, which he will have to do? And if he is playing 40 minutes a game, how does that affect the growth of Hamilton and Alexander? The point guard tandem of Lue (3.4, 1.2 apg) and Chris Whitney (9.5, 4.2) is shaky at best. Neither has ever played starter's minutes and don't be surprised to see both of them on the bench at the end of games. There is very little scoring in the frontcourt, led by incumbent C Jahidi White (8.6, 7.7 rpg), whose range is about three feet. Will Collins be allowed to coach this team, or will he defer to Jordan, who's also his boss?
IN THE ZONE: The Wizards may see a lot of zone. Jordan could be facing double-teams before he gets the ball and there is not enough shooting elsewhere to keep opponents honest. Lue and Whitney pressure the basketball well, so Washington may spring a backcourt trap or two. However, shot-blocking is sorely lacking.
OUTLOOK: Jordan will make sure they're not 19-63 again, but even with his brilliance -- which cannot be evaluated at this point -- there doesn't seem to be enough to get the 40 or so wins it will take to make the playoffs. Jordan loves a challenge, but the postseason is one that's out of his reach.
