Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
October 25, 2002, Washington Post

Wizards Have New Look, High Hopes

I am getting excited about the Washington Wizards.

Okay, I admit it, it's early. The season has not even started yet. The Wizards' first regular season game is not until Wednesday night, against the Toronto Raptors.

But take a look at the team that the Wizards have put together. It sure looks like a playoff team to me.

• Guards. The Wizards probably will start newcomers Larry Hughes and Jerry Stackhouse. Both are big and can score. Stackhouse is a star who is good for at least 20 points a game. So the Wizards should be able to match up with anybody in the backcourt. And if a team has a lightning-quick guard such as Allen Iverson or Jason Kidd, Coach Doug Collins can call on Tyronn Lue to play some skintight defense.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. If Collins needs more scoring, passing or rebounding from the guard spot, he's got Michael Jordan to come off the bench and do whatever the Wizards need for a win.

• Forwards. The Wizards' forwards are either very experienced pros or kids who are still learning to play. The veterans are Bryon Russell and Charles Oakley, plus the just-acquired George McCloud. Russell has played nine solid seasons for the Utah Jazz. At 38, the rugged Oakley is one of the few NBA players still playing who was born in the same year as Jordan (1963). The Wizards' youngest forward, Kwame Brown, might hold the key to their season. Last year's No. 1 draft pick will start at strong forward. If Brown can begin to tap some of the awesome potential from his 6-foot-11 body, he will help the Wizards move up in the Eastern Conference. During the preseason, Brown was scoring more and rebounding better than last season. He's learning quickly.

• Center. Here is another key to the Wizards' season. Second-year player Brendan Haywood has to keep improving. The seven-footer from North Carolina does not have to be a star, but he and backup Etan Thomas have to battle NBA centers every night. Lucky for the Wizards, there are not many top-flight centers in the Eastern Conference.

• Rookies. Not many NBA rookies come in and become starters in their first season. So don't expect Maryland's Juan Dixon and Indiana's Jared Jeffries to be stars right away. But both rookies are smart enough and tough enough to get some minutes and help the team.

Notice anything? I have talked about 10 Wizards players and I have not even mentioned Christian Laettner or Jahidi White -- two starters for the Wizards last season. The 2002-2003 team is so much better that last season's players may not get much playing time. That means the Wizards should improve on last season's 37-45 record.

And that's why I am excited.

Fred Bowen writes KidsPost's Friday sports column and is the author of sports novels for kids. Write to him at KidsPost, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Or e-mail (with "The Score" in the subject field): kidspost@washpost.com.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company