

(Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)

I usually try not to get angry about sportswriters, because it probably isn’t worth it, but Mike Wise’s column in Wednesday’s paper made me mildly angry. Especially this part:

Now that a certain Washington franchise is three wins from its first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 35 years, it’s easy to gloat, to say, “I told you so,” and go after the vermin who never thought the Wizards’ ownership, management and players would never amount to anything….

Look, if you want to go after media members, that’s fine. If you want to punish David Falk, have at it.

But if you want to say that skeptical fans — who have watched mediocre to bad basketball for 30 years, who have sat through 82-game seasons of execrable mush for most of their adult lives, who have seen their home arena overrun with visiting fans and their favorite team drift toward irrelevance — are “vermin” for not being convinced that a 44-win team would become legitimately great in the playoffs, that just strikes me as being obnoxious for the sake of being obnoxious.

Wizards fans are happy right now. They really are. Many are as happy as they’ve been in three decades. That’s great, for everyone.

Sure, some didn’t see this coming, at least not this quickly, probably because the Wizards were an inconsistent outfit that suffered many inexplicable losses this season, and also because the Wizards haven’t had this sort of success for 30 years. But I can’t see the benefit in rubbing ordinary fans’ faces in success that is now making them happy.

But whatever. He can write his columns, singling out everyone who has ever been wrong about the Wizards, and I can write mine, pointing out all the times Wise has been wrong about everything.

Gotta go w/ Sparty-Shockers in the Final. Though @NateSilver538 says Shockers have 5 percent chance to win, never tell me the odds, kid. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) March 17, 2014

Michigan State lost in the Elite Eight. Wichita State lost in the second round.

Yes, I have given up on the Nationals defending their NL East crown. But I think if they can get that wildcard, season could be salvaged. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) August 8, 2013

The Nats finished four games out of the wild card.

Wizards are playing beautifully on Nene. A lot of energy. Again, I’m not calling a victory. But I think if they get the lead they got this 1 — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) November 25, 2012

The Wizards led in both overtime and double overtime before losing at home to the Bobcats.

I think the Wizards got this one. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) November 22, 2012

The Wizards lost in overtime to the Hawks.

@TedLeonsis And we got so worked up about this team in the midseason. How kneejerk of us. Hail George and Gabby. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) April 2, 2011

The Caps got swept out of the second round of the playoffs, Boudreau’s last in Washington.

Maybe this is part of LeBron’s journey. But aside from two MVPs, he’s got 0 NBA Finals wins, 0 rings and is now getting punked by old dudes — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) May 12, 2010

James has helped Miami win the last two NBA championships.

I got a feeling about this drive. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) December 2, 2013

Not totally sure which drive this was during the Redskins-Giants game, but Washington’s final four drives ended with three punts and a fumble.

This is crazy, but I think the Pacers come back and win this. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) April 29, 2014

The Pacers lost by 10.

I don’t know if they have enough capable defensemen right now, but I have a feeling about this team. No, really, this time. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) December 11, 2013

The Capitals beat the Lightning on this night, but would go on to miss the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

I’m telling you, I have a weird feeling Miami is going to win this thing. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) June 12, 2013

The Heat lost by 36 points.

I know they have now been outscored 16-0 the last 6:33 and trail by 1 with 2 left, but I have a feeling. I’m serious — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) November 29, 2012

Okay, he was actually right this time. The Wizards beat the Blazers by two.

Based on that gut-punch right there, I think Spurs can get to the Finals, where ’Bron will sweep them like San Anton swept him away in ’07. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) May 7, 2013

The Spurs lost to the Heat in seven games.

Look, if Nats can’t score nine in 9th, they gut it out tomorrow with Detwiler and throw their Cy Young Award candidate in Game 5. Relax. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) October 10, 2012

Gio Gonzalez gave up three runs and was out after five innings, and the Nats lost to the Cardinals in Game 5.

I’m open to the possibility that it’s not over if the Nationals pull this out against the Mets. They’d be 6-1/2 back in wildcard. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) September 2, 2013

The Nats indeed beat the Mets on this day, but they finished four games out of the wild card.

I’m not losing faith in Campbell. I can see it happening here for the Bears. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) November 12, 2012

The Bears lost at home to the Texans. Jason Campbell entered at halftime, throwing for 94 yards and leading Chicago to 3 second-half points.

The Brooklyn Nets will finish two games ahead of the Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) October 30, 2012

The Knicks finished five games ahead of the Nets.

I think the Steelers come back and win this. Calling it right now. Of course, @dcsportsbog won’t give me credit when it happens — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) September 23, 2013

The Steelers lost at home to the Bears by 17 points.

I like the Nats coming back to win this. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) May 30, 2013

The Nationals lost 9-6 to the Orioles.

The Caps lost to the Panthers in a shootout.

I’m not even asking royalties for this. I give because I care: Win: Vicar’s in Trouble. Place: Wicked Strong. Show: Intense Holiday — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) May 3, 2014

None of these horses finished in the top three.

When the Devils come back to win the Cup after an 0-3 hole it will be the Greatest Story of the Year No One But Hockey People Care About — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) June 7, 2012

The Devils lost in six games.

’Skins are so predictable. They spot Cincy 24-7 lead, all the while knowing @RGIII would lead them to a monumental comeback in home opener. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) September 23, 2012

The Redskins lost by a touchdown.

I’m so over the Cardinals. I can’t wait for the Giants to come back and beat them in 7. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) October 19, 2012

Okay, this one worked, too.

Nobody has any faith in Natsville, do they? Bunch of frontrunners. Save this Tweet. I’m calling it right now: they come back and win NL East — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) July 21, 2013

The Nats finished 10 games back of the Braves.

Got a ″We always lose these game at home in playoffs” Tweets. Losers mentality – like using ″Les Boullez” still. That’s old DC. It’s gone. — Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) May 3, 2012

The Caps lost in three overtimes.