The Washington Wizards had a terrible 2011-2012 season going 20-26 in the lock-out shorten season. The team decided it was time to go in a different direction by firing coach Flip Saunders and trading JaVale McGee along with Ronny Turiaf to Denver in a deal that brought Nenê to the Wizards.
The team amnestied Andray Blatche and sent Nick Young and Rashard Lewis packing. The Wizards continued to rebuild their roster by trading for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza. Washington also drafter Bradley Beal in hopes of seeing Beal and John Wall turn into an elite NBA backcourt.
The Wizards' season truly depends on the further development of young point guard John Wall. The third year player has yet to turn into the super-star that he was projected to be when he was drafter number one overall. Wall's development experienced a major setback when it was announced that he would miss about eight weeks after being diagnosed with the early stages of a non-traumatic stress injury in his knee.
If he can overcome his most recent setback and become great, the Wizards could be a surprise team in the East. The will have a solid defense with the frontcourt of Okafor, Ariza and Nene. The team has enough veteran talent to compete for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, but John Wall must improve upon his 16.3 points per game from last season.
According to NBA 2K13, The Wizards take a huge step this season and make it into the NBA playoffs, but lose to the Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls in the first round. While the Bulls win the series 4-1, the Wizards keep every game of the series close. The Wizards lose two games by only two-points. Wall ends the season with an 86 player rating and career highs in assist and points per game. The game also has Beal making a big impact in his rookie season by averaging 16 points per game.
Here is how the game simulates the Wizards' season:
Regular Season Record: 42-40 seventh in the Eastern Conference
Top scorers: C Nene 15.6 PPG, SG Bradley Beal 16 PPG, PG John Wall 18.9 PPG
Leading rebounders: SF Trevor Ariza 5.6 RPG, C Nene 8.3 RPG, PF/C Emeka Okafor 9.1 RPG
Assist Leader: SG Bradley Beal 2.6 APG, SF Trevor Ariza 5.6 APG, PG John Wall 8.8 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1: Chicago Bulls, The Bulls win the series 4-1.
Round 2: Did not qualify
Eastern Conference Finals: Did not qualify
NBA Finals: Did not qualify
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Washington Wizards
