In what is now becoming an annual rite of spring, the Washington Wizards lost game 6 of their playoff series to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. That makes the Cavs three for three in playoff series with the Wizards; three years in a row, all in the first round.
And now the questions begin for the Wizards officials. Is this team, as presently constructed, at its peak? Was the suspension of Darius Songaila fair? What changes need to be made? How can this team avoid the Cavaliers in future playoff series?
I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t have the answers to any of those or any other questions that face the braintrust of the Wizards franchise. It’s apparent that while the Wizards improved defensively this season, there is still more room for improvement. It seemed that the Wizards, with all the talking, talked themselves right out of the series (some will say they pushed and shoved their way out as well). I’m not sure that the suspension of Songaila was fair, although his lack of availability was not the deciding factor in last night’s loss. A cursory glance at the boxscore should credit the Cavalier defense for holding the Wizard offense to 40% shooting, while the Cavs shot almost 50%. That, more than anything, decided the game.
As for LeBron James, great players come to play when it matters, and he did. His triple-double effort, along with his defensive effort in slowing down Caron Butler, the Wizards’ game 5 hero, was another in what will be and has been a long line of great performances by the Cavs’ superstar. He even managed to take the high road in his postgame comments, which is way more than some of the Wizards were able to do before or during the series.
Maybe next season, the Wizards will keep their tongues in check before competing in the playoffs. The franchise is built to get to the playoffs, but hasn’t done much while getting there. In fact, they may be in a holding pattern. A first-round exit the last three years after making it to the second round the year before does not show signs of progress. But then, the Wizards may look different next year. There are issues regarding Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison and whether or not they will be back. There are needs that management will have to address with personnel. And at some point, though I don’t think that point is now, there is sure to be some scrutiny about Eddie Jordan and his status as coach of the team.
Congratulations to the Cleveland Cavaliers, once again you have proven to be the better team as it pertains to the Wizards. Good luck against either the Celtics or Hawks (and no, I can’t believe I’m writing that sentence).
