Washington Wizards: After 6-2 Start, They Still Have A Lot Of Room To Improve by Osman Baig

The Washington Wizards’ primary goal this off-season was to become a deeper team. By adding Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair via trades and re-signing both Kevin Seraphin, Drew Gooden this summer, the Wizards have one of the deepest front courts in the NBA.

Having a deep bench is important for any team wanting to secure home court in the NBA Playoffs, but it’s especially important for the Washington Wizards, who’ve dealt with numerous injuries over the past few seasons. Nene, the team’s starting power forward and arguably their second most important player, isn’t the most reliable player in the world in terms of health.

With that said, after last night’s win over the Detroit Pistons, Nene complained about shoulder pain. According to J.Michael of CSN Washington, his status for Saturday night’s match up against the Orlando Magic is uncertain and he will be evaluated:

According to coach Randy Wittman, the Wizards went through a full, though brief, practice Thursday that included Nene, who is having his right (shooting) shoulder evaluated Friday before the next game vs. the Orlando Magic at Verizon Center….. He said that he has discomfort on the front of his shoulder, pointing to the deltoid muscle. He didn’t get it in the 107-103 vs. the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday when he had just eight points and four rebounds. Nene believes it may have come from weightlifting.

Prior to the beginning of the season, I think we all knew that Nene wasn’t going to play 82 games. Washington added a few big men to the roster this summer as a result, and they should be in a lot better position this season than they would have been last year if Nene missed time.

Kris Humphries is finally beginning to contribute off the bench, while Drew Gooden has been called upon to start in Nene’s place before. Kevin Seraphin has gotten most of his minutes at the center position, so DeJuan Blair will also be available.

If Nene’s discomfort continues, Wittman might opt to rest him against the Orlando Magic, who dropped a game to the Washington Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back at the beginning of the season.