It's another season of hope for the Washington Wizards.
Hope they can survive a season without major injuries. Hope young stars emerge and old ones endure. Hope a new coach can teach them winning isn't a sometime thing.
Washington opens the 2016-17 season in Atlanta Oct. 27 with many pundits believing the Wizards will finish in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference. Some believe, maybe, they're a touch better than last year's underperforming 41-41.
And while the Wizards didn't get free-agent superstar forward Kevin Durant or even a draft pick, their starting five of point guard John Wall, shooting guard Bradley Beal, small forward Otto Porter Jr., power forward Markieff Morris and center Marcin Gortat isn't bad. Wall and Beal are star players, and the remaining trio could start for many teams. Throw in rising second-year forward Kelly Oubre Jr., and a healthy team could contend in the spring if it truly follows new coach Scott Brooks' system of hustle and defense.
